Template-matching based adaptive motion vector resolution (amvr)

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure provide a method and an apparatus for video decoding. The apparatus includes processing circuitry that decodes prediction information of a current block in a current picture from a coded video bitstream. The prediction information indicates (i) an adaptive motion vector prediction (AMVP) mode with an adaptive motion vector resolution (AMVR) mode being applied to the current block and (ii) motion information. The processing circuitry performs template matching (TM) on a plurality of MV resolutions by determining respective TM costs corresponding to each of the plurality of MV resolutions based on the plurality of MV resolutions and the motion information, reordering the plurality of MV resolutions based on the determined TM costs respectively corresponding to each of the plurality of MV resolutions, and selecting an MV resolution from the reordered plurality of MV resolutions. The processing circuitry reconstructs the current block based on the selected MV resolution.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present disclosure claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/273,070, “TEMPLATE-MATCHING BASED ADAPTIVE MOTION VECTOR RESOLUTION (AMVR)” filed on Oct. 28, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/289,128, “TEMPLATE-MATCHING BASED ADAPTIVE MOTION VECTOR RESOLUTION (AMVR)” filed on Dec. 13, 2021, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure describes embodiments generally related to video coding.

BACKGROUND

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent the work is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

Uncompressed digital images and/or video can include a series of pictures, each picture having a spatial dimension of, for example, 1920 x 1080 luminance samples and associated chrominance samples. The series of pictures can have a fixed or variable picture rate (informally also known as frame rate), of, for example 60 pictures per second or 60 Hz. Uncompressed image and/or video has specific bitrate requirements. For example, 1080p60 4:2:0 video at 8 bit per sample (1920x1080 luminance sample resolution at 60 Hz frame rate) requires close to 1.5 Gbit/s bandwidth. An hour of such video requires more than 600 GBytes of storage space.

One purpose of image and/or video coding and decoding can be the reduction of redundancy in the input image and/or video signal, through compression. Compression can help reduce the aforementioned bandwidth and/or storage space requirements, in some cases by two orders of magnitude or more. Although the descriptions herein use video encoding/decoding as illustrative examples, the same techniques can be applied to image encoding/decoding in similar fashion without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Both lossless compression and lossy compression, as well as a combination thereof can be employed. Lossless compression refers to techniques where an exact copy of the original signal can be reconstructed from the compressed original signal. When using lossy compression, the reconstructed signal may not be identical to the original signal, but the distortion between original and reconstructed signals is small enough to make the reconstructed signal useful for the intended application. In the case of video, lossy compression is widely employed. The amount of distortion tolerated depends on the application; for example, users of certain consumer streaming applications may tolerate higher distortion than users of television distribution applications. The compression ratio achievable can reflect that: higher allowable/tolerable distortion can yield higher compression ratios.

A video encoder and decoder can utilize techniques from several broad categories, including, for example, motion compensation, transform processing, quantization, and entropy coding.

Video codec technologies can include techniques known as intra coding. In intra coding, sample values are represented without reference to samples or other data from previously reconstructed reference pictures. In some video codecs, the picture is spatially subdivided into blocks of samples. When all blocks of samples are coded in intra mode, that picture can be an intra picture. Intra pictures and their derivations such as independent decoder refresh pictures, can be used to reset the decoder state and can, therefore, be used as the first picture in a coded video bitstream and a video session, or as a still image. The samples of an intra block can be exposed to a transform, and the transform coefficients can be quantized before entropy coding. Intra prediction can be a technique that minimizes sample values in the pre-transform domain. In some cases, the smaller the DC value after a transform is, and the smaller the AC coefficients are, the fewer the bits that are required at a given quantization step size to represent the block after entropy coding.

Traditional intra coding used in, for example, MPEG-2 generation coding technologies, does not use intra prediction. However, some newer video compression technologies include techniques that attempt to perform prediction based on, for example, surrounding sample data and/or metadata obtained during the encoding and/or decoding of blocks of data. Such techniques are henceforth called “intra prediction” techniques. Note that in at least some cases, intra prediction is using reference data only from the current picture under reconstruction and not from reference pictures.

There can be many different forms of intra prediction. When more than one of such techniques can be used in a given video coding technology, a specific technique in use can be coded as a specific intra prediction mode that uses the specific technique. In certain cases, intra prediction modes can have submodes and/or parameters, where the submodes and/or parameters can be coded individually or included in a mode codeword, which defines the prediction mode being used. Which codeword to use for a given mode, submode, and/or parameter combination can have an impact in the coding efficiency gain through intra prediction, and so can the entropy coding technology used to translate the codewords into a bitstream.

A certain mode of intra prediction was introduced with H.264, refined in H.265, and further refined in newer coding technologies such as joint exploration model (JEM), versatile video coding (VVC), and benchmark set (BMS). A predictor block can be formed using neighboring sample values of already available samples. Sample values of neighboring samples are copied into the predictor block according to a direction. A reference to the direction in use can be coded in the bitstream or may itself be predicted.

Referring to FIG. 1A, depicted in the lower right is a subset of nine predictor directions known from the 33 possible predictor directions (corresponding to the 33 angular modes of the 35 intra modes) defined in H.265. The point where the arrows converge (101) represents the sample being predicted. The arrows represent the direction from which the sample is being predicted. For example, arrow (102) indicates that sample (101) is predicted from a sample or samples to the upper right, at a 45 degree angle from the horizontal. Similarly, arrow (103) indicates that sample (101) is predicted from a sample or samples to the lower left of sample (101), in a 22.5 degree angle from the horizontal.

Still referring to FIG. 1A, on the top left there is depicted a square block (104) of 4 x 4 samples (indicated by a dashed, boldface line). The square block (104) includes 16 samples, each labelled with an “S”, its position in the Y dimension (e.g., row index) and its position in the X dimension (e.g., column index). For example, sample S21 is the second sample in the Y dimension (from the top) and the first (from the left) sample in the X dimension. Similarly, sample S44 is the fourth sample in block (104) in both the Y and X dimensions. As the block is 4 x 4 samples in size, S44 is at the bottom right. Further shown are reference samples that follow a similar numbering scheme. A reference sample is labelled with an R, its Y position (e.g., row index) and X position (column index) relative to block (104). In both H.264 and H.265, prediction samples neighbor the block under reconstruction; therefore, no negative values need to be used.

Intra picture prediction can work by copying reference sample values from the neighboring samples indicated by the signaled prediction direction. For example, assume the coded video bitstream includes signaling that, for this block, indicates a prediction direction consistent with arrow (102)—that is, samples are predicted from samples to the upper right, at a 45 degree angle from the horizontal. In that case, samples S41, S32, S23, and S14 are predicted from the same reference sample R05. Sample S44 is then predicted from reference sample R08.

In certain cases, the values of multiple reference samples may be combined, for example through interpolation, in order to calculate a reference sample; especially when the directions are not evenly divisible by 45 degrees.

The number of possible directions has increased as video coding technology has developed. In H.264 (year 2003), nine different direction could be represented. That increased to 33 in H.265 (year 2013). Currently, JEM/VVC/BMS can support up to 65 directions. Experiments have been conducted to identify the most likely directions, and certain techniques in the entropy coding are used to represent those likely directions in a small number of bits, accepting a certain penalty for less likely directions. Further, the directions themselves can sometimes be predicted from neighboring directions used in neighboring, already decoded, blocks.

FIG. 1B shows a schematic (110) that depicts 65 intra prediction directions according to JEM to illustrate the increasing number of prediction directions over time.

The mapping of intra prediction direction bits that represent the direction in the coded video bitstream can be different from video coding technology to video coding technology. Such mapping can range, for example, from simple direct mappings, to codewords, to complex adaptive schemes involving most probable modes, and similar techniques. In most cases, however, there can be certain directions that are statistically less likely to occur in video content than certain other directions. As the goal of video compression is the reduction of redundancy, those less likely directions will, in a well working video coding technology, be represented by a larger number of bits than more likely directions.

Image and/or video coding and decoding can be performed using inter-picture prediction with motion compensation. Motion compensation can be a lossy compression technique and can relate to techniques where a block of sample data from a previously reconstructed picture or part thereof (reference picture), after being spatially shifted in a direction indicated by a motion vector (MV henceforth), is used for the prediction of a newly reconstructed picture or picture part. In some cases, the reference picture can be the same as the picture currently under reconstruction. MVs can have two dimensions X and Y, or three dimensions, the third being an indication of the reference picture in use (the latter, indirectly, can be a time dimension).

In some video compression techniques, an MV applicable to a certain area of sample data can be predicted from other MVs, for example from those related to another area of sample data spatially adjacent to the area under reconstruction, and preceding that MV in decoding order. Doing so can substantially reduce the amount of data required for coding the MV, thereby removing redundancy and increasing compression. MV prediction can work effectively, for example, because when coding an input video signal derived from a camera (known as natural video) there is a statistical likelihood that areas larger than the area to which a single MV is applicable move in a similar direction and, therefore, can in some cases be predicted using a similar motion vector derived from MVs of neighboring area. That results in the MV found for a given area to be similar or the same as the MV predicted from the surrounding MVs, and that in turn can be represented, after entropy coding, in a smaller number of bits than what would be used if coding the MV directly. In some cases, MV prediction can be an example of lossless compression of a signal (namely: the MVs) derived from the original signal (namely: the sample stream). In other cases, MV prediction itself can be lossy, for example because of rounding errors when calculating a predictor from several surrounding MVs.

Various MV prediction mechanisms are described in H.265/HEVC (ITU-T Rec. H.265, “High Efficiency Video Coding”, December 2016). Out of the many MV prediction mechanisms that H.265 offers, described with reference to FIG. 2 is a technique henceforth referred to as “spatial merge”.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a current block (201) comprises samples that have been found by the encoder during the motion search process to be predictable from a previous block of the same size that has been spatially shifted. Instead of coding that MV directly, the MV can be derived from metadata associated with one or more reference pictures, for example from the most recent (in decoding order) reference picture, using the MV associated with either one of five surrounding samples, denoted A0, A1, and B0, B1, B2 (202 through 206, respectively). In H.265, the MV prediction can use predictors from the same reference picture that the neighboring block is using.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for video encoding and decoding. In some examples, an apparatus for video decoding includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to decode prediction information of a current block in a current picture from a coded video bitstream. The prediction information indicates (i) an adaptive motion vector prediction (AMVP) mode with an adaptive motion vector resolution (AMVR) mode being applied to the current block and (ii) motion information. A set of motion vector (MV) resolutions in the AMVR mode is available for the current block. The processing circuitry performs template matching (TM) on a plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions by (i) determining respective TM costs corresponding to each of the plurality of MV resolutions based on the plurality of MV resolutions and the motion information, (ii) reordering the plurality of MV resolutions based on the determined TM costs respectively corresponding to each of the plurality of MV resolutions, and selecting an MV resolution from the reordered plurality of MV resolutions. The processing circuitry reconstructs the current block based on the selected MV resolution.

In an embodiment, for each of the plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions, the processing circuitry determines a first reference block in a first reference picture based on the current block in the current picture, the motion information, and the respective MV resolution and determines a TM cost based on a first reference template of the first reference block in the first reference picture and a current template of the current block in the current picture.

In an example, the plurality of MV resolutions is the set of MV resolutions. The prediction information indicates whether to apply a first MV resolution to the current block, the first MV resolution corresponding to the smallest TM cost among the determined TM costs respectively. In response to an indication that the first MV resolution is applied to the current block, the processing circuitry selects the first MV resolution to be the MV resolution and reconstructs the current block based on the first MV resolution. In response to an indication that the first MV resolution is not applied to the current block, the processing circuitry selects the MV resolution from remaining MV resolutions in the reordered plurality of MV resolutions. The remaining MV resolutions exclude the first MV resolution. The processing circuitry reconstructs the current block based on the selected MV resolution.

In an example, the plurality of MV resolutions includes ¼ luma samples, ½ luma samples, 1 luma sample, and 4 luma samples.

In an example, the first MV resolution is not applied to the current block. The processing circuitry decodes an index in the coded video bitstream. The processing circuitry selects a second MV resolution from the remaining MV resolutions in the reordered plurality of MV resolutions based on the index. The remaining MV resolutions exclude the first MV resolution. The processing circuitry reconstructs the current block based on the second MV resolution.

In an embodiment, the set of MV resolutions includes a third MV resolution that is not in the plurality of MV resolutions. The prediction information indicates that the third MV resolution is not applied to the current block. The processing circuitry decodes an index in the coded video bitstream and selects a fourth MV resolution from the reordered plurality of MV resolutions based on the index. The processing circuitry reconstructs the current block based on the fourth MV resolution.

In an example, the set of MV resolutions consists of ¼ luma samples, ½ luma samples, 1 luma sample, and 4 luma samples. The third MV resolution is ¼ luma samples, and the plurality of MV resolutions consists of ½ luma samples, 1 luma sample, and 4 luma samples.

In an example, the prediction information indicates that the current block is coded with bi-prediction. For each of the plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions, the processing circuitry determines TM cost based on a first TM cost and a second TM cost. The first TM cost is determined based on a first reference template of a first reference block in a first reference picture and based on a current template of the current block in the current picture. The second TM cost is determined based on a second reference template of a second reference block in a second reference picture and based on the current template of the current block in the current picture. In an example, for each of the plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions, the TM cost is a weighted sum of the first TM cost and the second first TM cost. In an example, for each of the plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions, the TM cost is a minimum or a maximum of the first TM cost and the second TM cost.

Aspects of the disclosure also provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program executable by at least one processor to perform the methods for video decoding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, the nature, and various advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of an exemplary subset of intra prediction modes.

FIG. 1B is an illustration of exemplary intra prediction directions.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a current block (201) and surrounding samples.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary block diagram of a communication system (300).

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary block diagram of a communication system (400).

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary block diagram of a decoder.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary block diagram of an encoder.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an exemplary encoder.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of an exemplary decoder.

FIG. 9 shows positions of spatial merge candidates according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows candidate pairs that are considered for a redundancy check of spatial merge candidates according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows exemplary motion vector scaling for a temporal merge candidate.

FIG. 12 shows exemplary candidate positions for a temporal merge candidate of a current coding unit.

FIG. 13 shows an example of template matching (1300).

FIG. 14 shows an example of template matching (1400) applied to a set of motion vector resolutions (MVRs).

FIG. 15 shows an example of template matching (1500) applied to a plurality of MVRs when a current block is predicted using bi-prediction.

FIG. 16 shows a flow chart outlining an encoding process according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 17 shows a flow chart outlining a decoding process according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration of a computer system in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a communication system (300). The communication system (300) includes a plurality of terminal devices that can communicate with each other, via, for example, a network (350). For example, the communication system (300) includes a first pair of terminal devices (310) and (320) interconnected via the network (350). In the FIG. 3 example, the first pair of terminal devices (310) and (320) performs unidirectional transmission of data. For example, the terminal device (310) may code video data (e.g., a stream of video pictures that are captured by the terminal device (310)) for transmission to the other terminal device (320) via the network (350). The encoded video data can be transmitted in the form of one or more coded video bitstreams. The terminal device (320) may receive the coded video data from the network (350), decode the coded video data to recover the video pictures and display video pictures according to the recovered video data. Unidirectional data transmission may be common in media serving applications and the like.

In another example, the communication system (300) includes a second pair of terminal devices (330) and (340) that perform bidirectional transmission of coded video data, for example, during videoconferencing. For bidirectional transmission of data, in an example, each terminal device of the terminal devices (330) and (340) may code video data (e.g., a stream of video pictures that are captured by the terminal device) for transmission to the other terminal device of the terminal devices (330) and (340) via the network (350). Each terminal device of the terminal devices (330) and (340) also may receive the coded video data transmitted by the other terminal device of the terminal devices (330) and (340), and may decode the coded video data to recover the video pictures and may display video pictures at an accessible display device according to the recovered video data.

In the example of FIG. 3 , the terminal devices (310), (320), (330) and (340) are respectively illustrated as servers, personal computers and smart phones but the principles of the present disclosure may be not so limited. Embodiments of the present disclosure find application with laptop computers, tablet computers, media players, and/or dedicated video conferencing equipment. The network (350) represents any number of networks that convey coded video data among the terminal devices (310), (320), (330) and (340), including for example wireline (wired) and/or wireless communication networks. The communication network (350) may exchange data in circuit-switched and/or packet-switched channels. Representative networks include telecommunications networks, local area networks, wide area networks and/or the Internet. For the purposes of the present discussion, the architecture and topology of the network (350) may be immaterial to the operation of the present disclosure unless explained herein below.

FIG. 4 illustrates, as an example of an application for the disclosed subject matter, a video encoder and a video decoder in a streaming environment. The disclosed subject matter can be equally applicable to other video enabled applications, including, for example, video conferencing, digital TV, streaming services, storing of compressed video on digital media including CD, DVD, memory stick and the like, and so on.

A streaming system may include a capture subsystem (413), that can include a video source (401), for example a digital camera, creating for example a stream of video pictures (402) that are uncompressed. In an example, the stream of video pictures (402) includes samples that are taken by the digital camera. The stream of video pictures (402), depicted as a bold line to emphasize a high data volume when compared to encoded video data (404) (or coded video bitstreams), can be processed by an electronic device (420) that includes a video encoder (403) coupled to the video source (401). The video encoder (403) can include hardware, software, or a combination thereof to enable or implement aspects of the disclosed subject matter as described in more detail below. The encoded video data (404) (or encoded video bitstream), depicted as a thin line to emphasize the lower data volume when compared to the stream of video pictures (402), can be stored on a streaming server (405) for future use. One or more streaming client subsystems, such as client subsystems (406) and (408) in FIG. 4 can access the streaming server (405) to retrieve copies (407) and (409) of the encoded video data (404). A client subsystem (406) can include a video decoder (410), for example, in an electronic device (430). The video decoder (410) decodes the incoming copy (407) of the encoded video data and creates an outgoing stream of video pictures (411) that can be rendered on a display (412) (e.g., display screen) or other rendering device (not depicted). In some streaming systems, the encoded video data (404), (407), and (409) (e.g., video bitstreams) can be encoded according to certain video coding/compression standards. Examples of those standards include ITU-T Recommendation H.265. In an example, a video coding standard under development is informally known as Versatile Video Coding (VVC). The disclosed subject matter may be used in the context of VVC.

It is noted that the electronic devices (420) and (430) can include other components (not shown). For example, the electronic device (420) can include a video decoder (not shown) and the electronic device (430) can include a video encoder (not shown) as well.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary block diagram of a video decoder (510). The video decoder (510) can be included in an electronic device (530). The electronic device (530) can include a receiver (531) (e.g., receiving circuitry). The video decoder (510) can be used in the place of the video decoder (410) in the FIG. 4 example.

The receiver (531) may receive one or more coded video sequences to be decoded by the video decoder (510). In an embodiment, one coded video sequence is received at a time, where the decoding of each coded video sequence is independent from the decoding of other coded video sequences. The coded video sequence may be received from a channel (501), which may be a hardware/software link to a storage device which stores the encoded video data. The receiver (531) may receive the encoded video data with other data, for example, coded audio data and/or ancillary data streams, that may be forwarded to their respective using entities (not depicted). The receiver (531) may separate the coded video sequence from the other data. To combat network jitter, a buffer memory (515) may be coupled in between the receiver (531) and an entropy decoder / parser (520) (“parser (520)” henceforth). In certain applications, the buffer memory (515) is part of the video decoder (510). In others, it can be outside of the video decoder (510) (not depicted). In still others, there can be a buffer memory (not depicted) outside of the video decoder (510), for example to combat network jitter, and in addition another buffer memory (515) inside the video decoder (510), for example to handle playout timing. When the receiver (531) is receiving data from a store/forward device of sufficient bandwidth and controllability, or from an isosynchronous network, the buffer memory (515) may not be needed, or can be small. For use on best effort packet networks such as the Internet, the buffer memory (515) may be required, can be comparatively large and can be advantageously of adaptive size, and may at least partially be implemented in an operating system or similar elements (not depicted) outside of the video decoder (510).

The video decoder (510) may include the parser (520) to reconstruct symbols (521) from the coded video sequence. Categories of those symbols include information used to manage operation of the video decoder (510), and potentially information to control a rendering device such as a render device (512) (e.g., a display screen) that is not an integral part of the electronic device (530) but can be coupled to the electronic device (530), as shown in FIG. 5 . The control information for the rendering device(s) may be in the form of Supplemental Enhancement Information (SEI) messages or Video Usability Information (VUI) parameter set fragments (not depicted). The parser (520) may parse / entropy-decode the coded video sequence that is received. The coding of the coded video sequence can be in accordance with a video coding technology or standard, and can follow various principles, including variable length coding, Huffman coding, arithmetic coding with or without context sensitivity, and so forth. The parser (520) may extract from the coded video sequence, a set of subgroup parameters for at least one of the subgroups of pixels in the video decoder, based upon at least one parameter corresponding to the group. Subgroups can include Groups of Pictures (GOPs), pictures, tiles, slices, macroblocks, Coding Units (CUs), blocks, Transform Units (TUs), Prediction Units (PUs) and so forth. The parser (520) may also extract from the coded video sequence information such as transform coefficients, quantizer parameter values, motion vectors, and so forth.

The parser (520) may perform an entropy decoding / parsing operation on the video sequence received from the buffer memory (515), so as to create symbols (521).

Reconstruction of the symbols (521) can involve multiple different units depending on the type of the coded video picture or parts thereof (such as: inter and intra picture, inter and intra block), and other factors. Which units are involved, and how, can be controlled by subgroup control information parsed from the coded video sequence by the parser (520). The flow of such subgroup control information between the parser (520) and the multiple units below is not depicted for clarity.

Beyond the functional blocks already mentioned, the video decoder (510) can be conceptually subdivided into a number of functional units as described below. In a practical implementation operating under commercial constraints, many of these units interact closely with each other and can, at least partly, be integrated into each other. However, for the purpose of describing the disclosed subject matter, the conceptual subdivision into the functional units below is appropriate.

A first unit is the scaler / inverse transform unit (551). The scaler / inverse transform unit (551) receives a quantized transform coefficient as well as control information, including which transform to use, block size, quantization factor, quantization scaling matrices, etc. as symbol(s) (521) from the parser (520). The scaler / inverse transform unit (551) can output blocks comprising sample values, that can be input into aggregator (555).

In some cases, the output samples of the scaler / inverse transform unit (551) can pertain to an intra coded block. The intra coded block is a block that is not using predictive information from previously reconstructed pictures, but can use predictive information from previously reconstructed parts of the current picture. Such predictive information can be provided by an intra picture prediction unit (552). In some cases, the intra picture prediction unit (552) generates a block of the same size and shape of the block under reconstruction, using surrounding already reconstructed information fetched from the current picture buffer (558). The current picture buffer (558) buffers, for example, partly reconstructed current picture and/or fully reconstructed current picture. The aggregator (555), in some cases, adds, on a per sample basis, the prediction information the intra prediction unit (552) has generated to the output sample information as provided by the scaler / inverse transform unit (551).

In other cases, the output samples of the scaler / inverse transform unit (551) can pertain to an inter coded, and potentially motion compensated, block. In such a case, a motion compensation prediction unit (553) can access reference picture memory (557) to fetch samples used for prediction. After motion compensating the fetched samples in accordance with the symbols (521) pertaining to the block, these samples can be added by the aggregator (555) to the output of the scaler / inverse transform unit (551) (in this case called the residual samples or residual signal) so as to generate output sample information. The addresses within the reference picture memory (557) from where the motion compensation prediction unit (553) fetches prediction samples can be controlled by motion vectors, available to the motion compensation prediction unit (553) in the form of symbols (521) that can have, for example X, Y, and reference picture components. Motion compensation also can include interpolation of sample values as fetched from the reference picture memory (557) when sub-sample exact motion vectors are in use, motion vector prediction mechanisms, and so forth.

The output samples of the aggregator (555) can be subject to various loop filtering techniques in the loop filter unit (556). Video compression technologies can include in-loop filter technologies that are controlled by parameters included in the coded video sequence (also referred to as coded video bitstream) and made available to the loop filter unit (556) as symbols (521) from the parser (520). Video compression can also be responsive to meta-information obtained during the decoding of previous (in decoding order) parts of the coded picture or coded video sequence, as well as responsive to previously reconstructed and loop-filtered sample values.

The output of the loop filter unit (556) can be a sample stream that can be output to the render device (512) as well as stored in the reference picture memory (557) for use in future inter-picture prediction.

Certain coded pictures, once fully reconstructed, can be used as reference pictures for future prediction. For example, once a coded picture corresponding to a current picture is fully reconstructed and the coded picture has been identified as a reference picture (by, for example, the parser (520)), the current picture buffer (558) can become a part of the reference picture memory (557), and a fresh current picture buffer can be reallocated before commencing the reconstruction of the following coded picture.

The video decoder (510) may perform decoding operations according to a predetermined video compression technology or a standard, such as ITU-T Rec. H.265. The coded video sequence may conform to a syntax specified by the video compression technology or standard being used, in the sense that the coded video sequence adheres to both the syntax of the video compression technology or standard and the profiles as documented in the video compression technology or standard. Specifically, a profile can select certain tools as the only tools available for use under that profile from all the tools available in the video compression technology or standard. Also necessary for compliance can be that the complexity of the coded video sequence is within bounds as defined by the level of the video compression technology or standard. In some cases, levels restrict the maximum picture size, maximum frame rate, maximum reconstruction sample rate (measured in, for example megasamples per second), maximum reference picture size, and so on. Limits set by levels can, in some cases, be further restricted through Hypothetical Reference Decoder (HRD) specifications and metadata for HRD buffer management signaled in the coded video sequence.

In an embodiment, the receiver (531) may receive additional (redundant) data with the encoded video. The additional data may be included as part of the coded video sequence(s). The additional data may be used by the video decoder (510) to properly decode the data and/or to more accurately reconstruct the original video data. Additional data can be in the form of, for example, temporal, spatial, or signal noise ratio (SNR) enhancement layers, redundant slices, redundant pictures, forward error correction codes, and so on.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary block diagram of a video encoder (603). The video encoder (603) is included in an electronic device (620). The electronic device (620) includes a transmitter (640) (e.g., transmitting circuitry). The video encoder (603) can be used in the place of the video encoder (403) in the FIG. 4 example.

The video encoder (603) may receive video samples from a video source (601) (that is not part of the electronic device (620) in the FIG. 6 example) that may capture video image(s) to be coded by the video encoder (603). In another example, the video source (601) is a part of the electronic device (620).

The video source (601) may provide the source video sequence to be coded by the video encoder (603) in the form of a digital video sample stream that can be of any suitable bit depth (for example: 8 bit, 10 bit, 12 bit, ...), any colorspace (for example, BT.601 Y CrCB, RGB, ...), and any suitable sampling structure (for example Y CrCb 4:2:0, Y CrCb 4:4:4). In a media serving system, the video source (601) may be a storage device storing previously prepared video. In a videoconferencing system, the video source (601) may be a camera that captures local image information as a video sequence. Video data may be provided as a plurality of individual pictures that impart motion when viewed in sequence. The pictures themselves may be organized as a spatial array of pixels, wherein each pixel can comprise one or more samples depending on the sampling structure, color space, etc. in use. A person skilled in the art can readily understand the relationship between pixels and samples. The description below focuses on samples.

According to an embodiment, the video encoder (603) may code and compress the pictures of the source video sequence into a coded video sequence (643) in real time or under any other time constraints as required. Enforcing appropriate coding speed is one function of a controller (650). In some embodiments, the controller (650) controls other functional units as described below and is functionally coupled to the other functional units. The coupling is not depicted for clarity. Parameters set by the controller (650) can include rate control related parameters (picture skip, quantizer, lambda value of rate-distortion optimization techniques, ...), picture size, group of pictures (GOP) layout, maximum motion vector search range, and so forth. The controller (650) can be configured to have other suitable functions that pertain to the video encoder (603) optimized for a certain system design.

In some embodiments, the video encoder (603) is configured to operate in a coding loop. As an oversimplified description, in an example, the coding loop can include a source coder (630) (e.g., responsible for creating symbols, such as a symbol stream, based on an input picture to be coded, and a reference picture(s)), and a (local) decoder (633) embedded in the video encoder (603). The decoder (633) reconstructs the symbols to create the sample data in a similar manner as a (remote) decoder also would create. The reconstructed sample stream (sample data) is input to the reference picture memory (634). As the decoding of a symbol stream leads to bit-exact results independent of decoder location (local or remote), the content in the reference picture memory (634) is also bit exact between the local encoder and remote encoder. In other words, the prediction part of an encoder “sees” as reference picture samples exactly the same sample values as a decoder would “see” when using prediction during decoding. This fundamental principle of reference picture synchronicity (and resulting drift, if synchronicity cannot be maintained, for example because of channel errors) is used in some related arts as well.

The operation of the “local” decoder (633) can be the same as of a “remote” decoder, such as the video decoder (510), which has already been described in detail above in conjunction with FIG. 5 . Briefly referring also to FIG. 5 , however, as symbols are available and encoding/decoding of symbols to a coded video sequence by an entropy coder (645) and the parser (520) can be lossless, the entropy decoding parts of the video decoder (510), including the buffer memory (515), and parser (520) may not be fully implemented in the local decoder (633).

In an embodiment, a decoder technology except the parsing/entropy decoding that is present in a decoder is present, in an identical or a substantially identical functional form, in a corresponding encoder. Accordingly, the disclosed subject matter focuses on decoder operation. The description of encoder technologies can be abbreviated as they are the inverse of the comprehensively described decoder technologies. In certain areas a more detail description is provided below.

During operation, in some examples, the source coder (630) may perform motion compensated predictive coding, which codes an input picture predictively with reference to one or more previously coded picture from the video sequence that were designated as “reference pictures.” In this manner, the coding engine (632) codes differences between pixel blocks of an input picture and pixel blocks of reference picture(s) that may be selected as prediction reference(s) to the input picture.

The local video decoder (633) may decode coded video data of pictures that may be designated as reference pictures, based on symbols created by the source coder (630). Operations of the coding engine (632) may advantageously be lossy processes. When the coded video data may be decoded at a video decoder (not shown in FIG. 6 ), the reconstructed video sequence typically may be a replica of the source video sequence with some errors. The local video decoder (633) replicates decoding processes that may be performed by the video decoder on reference pictures and may cause reconstructed reference pictures to be stored in the reference picture memory (634). In this manner, the video encoder (603) may store copies of reconstructed reference pictures locally that have common content as the reconstructed reference pictures that will be obtained by a far-end video decoder (absent transmission errors).

The predictor (635) may perform prediction searches for the coding engine (632). That is, for a new picture to be coded, the predictor (635) may search the reference picture memory (634) for sample data (as candidate reference pixel blocks) or certain metadata such as reference picture motion vectors, block shapes, and so on, that may serve as an appropriate prediction reference for the new pictures. The predictor (635) may operate on a sample block-by-pixel block basis to find appropriate prediction references. In some cases, as determined by search results obtained by the predictor (635), an input picture may have prediction references drawn from multiple reference pictures stored in the reference picture memory (634).

The controller (650) may manage coding operations of the source coder (630), including, for example, setting of parameters and subgroup parameters used for encoding the video data.

Output of all aforementioned functional units may be subjected to entropy coding in the entropy coder (645). The entropy coder (645) translates the symbols as generated by the various functional units into a coded video sequence, by applying lossless compression to the symbols according to technologies such as Huffman coding, variable length coding, arithmetic coding, and so forth.

The transmitter (640) may buffer the coded video sequence(s) as created by the entropy coder (645) to prepare for transmission via a communication channel (660), which may be a hardware/software link to a storage device which would store the encoded video data. The transmitter (640) may merge coded video data from the video encoder (603) with other data to be transmitted, for example, coded audio data and/or ancillary data streams (sources not shown).

The controller (650) may manage operation of the video encoder (603). During coding, the controller (650) may assign to each coded picture a certain coded picture type, which may affect the coding techniques that may be applied to the respective picture. For example, pictures often may be assigned as one of the following picture types:

An Intra Picture (I picture) may be one that may be coded and decoded without using any other picture in the sequence as a source of prediction. Some video codecs allow for different types of intra pictures, including, for example Independent Decoder Refresh (“IDR”) Pictures. A person skilled in the art is aware of those variants of I pictures and their respective applications and features.

A predictive picture (P picture) may be one that may be coded and decoded using intra prediction or inter prediction using at most one motion vector and reference index to predict the sample values of each block.

A bi-directionally predictive picture (B Picture) may be one that may be coded and decoded using intra prediction or inter prediction using at most two motion vectors and reference indices to predict the sample values of each block. Similarly, multiple-predictive pictures can use more than two reference pictures and associated metadata for the reconstruction of a single block.

Source pictures commonly may be subdivided spatially into a plurality of sample blocks (for example, blocks of 4x4, 8x8, 4x8, or 16x16 samples each) and coded on a block-by-block basis. Blocks may be coded predictively with reference to other (already coded) blocks as determined by the coding assignment applied to the blocks’ respective pictures. For example, blocks of I pictures may be coded non-predictively or they may be coded predictively with reference to already coded blocks of the same picture (spatial prediction or intra prediction). Pixel blocks of P pictures may be coded predictively, via spatial prediction or via temporal prediction with reference to one previously coded reference picture. Blocks of B pictures may be coded predictively, via spatial prediction or via temporal prediction with reference to one or two previously coded reference pictures.

The video encoder (603) may perform coding operations according to a predetermined video coding technology or standard, such as ITU-T Rec. H.265. In its operation, the video encoder (603) may perform various compression operations, including predictive coding operations that exploit temporal and spatial redundancies in the input video sequence. The coded video data, therefore, may conform to a syntax specified by the video coding technology or standard being used.

In an embodiment, the transmitter (640) may transmit additional data with the encoded video. The source coder (630) may include such data as part of the coded video sequence. Additional data may comprise temporal/spatial/SNR enhancement layers, other forms of redundant data such as redundant pictures and slices, SEI messages, VUI parameter set fragments, and so on.

A video may be captured as a plurality of source pictures (video pictures) in a temporal sequence. Intra-picture prediction (often abbreviated to intra prediction) makes use of spatial correlation in a given picture, and inter-picture prediction makes uses of the (temporal or other) correlation between the pictures. In an example, a specific picture under encoding/decoding, which is referred to as a current picture, is partitioned into blocks. When a block in the current picture is similar to a reference block in a previously coded and still buffered reference picture in the video, the block in the current picture can be coded by a vector that is referred to as a motion vector. The motion vector points to the reference block in the reference picture, and can have a third dimension identifying the reference picture, in case multiple reference pictures are in use.

In some embodiments, a bi-prediction technique can be used in the inter-picture prediction. According to the bi-prediction technique, two reference pictures, such as a first reference picture and a second reference picture that are both prior in decoding order to the current picture in the video (but may be in the past and future, respectively, in display order) are used. A block in the current picture can be coded by a first motion vector that points to a first reference block in the first reference picture, and a second motion vector that points to a second reference block in the second reference picture. The block can be predicted by a combination of the first reference block and the second reference block.

Further, a merge mode technique can be used in the inter-picture prediction to improve coding efficiency.

According to some embodiments of the disclosure, predictions, such as inter-picture predictions and intra-picture predictions, are performed in the unit of blocks. For example, according to the HEVC standard, a picture in a sequence of video pictures is partitioned into coding tree units (CTU) for compression, the CTUs in a picture have the same size, such as 64x64 pixels, 32x32 pixels, or 16x16 pixels. In general, a CTU includes three coding tree blocks (CTBs), which are one luma CTB and two chroma CTBs. Each CTU can be recursively quadtree split into one or multiple coding units (CUs). For example, a CTU of 64x64 pixels can be split into one CU of 64x64 pixels, or 4 CUs of 32x32 pixels, or 16 CUs of 16x16 pixels. In an example, each CU is analyzed to determine a prediction type for the CU, such as an inter prediction type or an intra prediction type. The CU is split into one or more prediction units (PUs) depending on the temporal and/or spatial predictability. Generally, each PU includes a luma prediction block (PB), and two chroma PBs. In an embodiment, a prediction operation in coding (encoding/decoding) is performed in the unit of a prediction block. Using a luma prediction block as an example of a prediction block, the prediction block includes a matrix of values (e.g., luma values) for pixels, such as 8x8 pixels, 16x16 pixels, 8x16 pixels, 16x8 pixels, and the like.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary diagram of a video encoder (703). The video encoder (703) is configured to receive a processing block (e.g., a prediction block) of sample values within a current video picture in a sequence of video pictures, and encode the processing block into a coded picture that is part of a coded video sequence. In an example, the video encoder (703) is used in the place of the video encoder (403) in the FIG. 4 example.

In an HEVC example, the video encoder (703) receives a matrix of sample values for a processing block, such as a prediction block of 8x8 samples, and the like. The video encoder (703) determines whether the processing block is best coded using intra mode, inter mode, or bi-prediction mode using, for example, rate-distortion optimization. When the processing block is to be coded in intra mode, the video encoder (703) may use an intra prediction technique to encode the processing block into the coded picture; and when the processing block is to be coded in inter mode or bi-prediction mode, the video encoder (703) may use an inter prediction or bi-prediction technique, respectively, to encode the processing block into the coded picture. In certain video coding technologies, merge mode can be an inter picture prediction submode where the motion vector is derived from one or more motion vector predictors without the benefit of a coded motion vector component outside the predictors. In certain other video coding technologies, a motion vector component applicable to the subject block may be present. In an example, the video encoder (703) includes other components, such as a mode decision module (not shown) to determine the mode of the processing blocks.

In the FIG. 7 example, the video encoder (703) includes an inter encoder (730), an intra encoder (722), a residue calculator (723), a switch (726), a residue encoder (724), a general controller (721), and an entropy encoder (725) coupled together as shown in FIG. 7 .

The inter encoder (730) is configured to receive the samples of the current block (e.g., a processing block), compare the block to one or more reference blocks in reference pictures (e.g., blocks in previous pictures and later pictures), generate inter prediction information (e.g., description of redundant information according to inter encoding technique, motion vectors, merge mode information), and calculate inter prediction results (e.g., predicted block) based on the inter prediction information using any suitable technique. In some examples, the reference pictures are decoded reference pictures that are decoded based on the encoded video information.

The intra encoder (722) is configured to receive the samples of the current block (e.g., a processing block), in some cases compare the block to blocks already coded in the same picture, generate quantized coefficients after transform, and in some cases also generate intra prediction information (e.g., an intra prediction direction information according to one or more intra encoding techniques). In an example, the intra encoder (722) also calculates intra prediction results (e.g., predicted block) based on the intra prediction information and reference blocks in the same picture.

The general controller (721) is configured to determine general control data and control other components of the video encoder (703) based on the general control data. In an example, the general controller (721) determines the mode of the block, and provides a control signal to the switch (726) based on the mode. For example, when the mode is the intra mode, the general controller (721) controls the switch (726) to select the intra mode result for use by the residue calculator (723), and controls the entropy encoder (725) to select the intra prediction information and include the intra prediction information in the bitstream; and when the mode is the inter mode, the general controller (721) controls the switch (726) to select the inter prediction result for use by the residue calculator (723), and controls the entropy encoder (725) to select the inter prediction information and include the inter prediction information in the bitstream.

The residue calculator (723) is configured to calculate a difference (residue data) between the received block and prediction results selected from the intra encoder (722) or the inter encoder (730). The residue encoder (724) is configured to operate based on the residue data to encode the residue data to generate the transform coefficients. In an example, the residue encoder (724) is configured to convert the residue data from a spatial domain to a frequency domain, and generate the transform coefficients. The transform coefficients are then subject to quantization processing to obtain quantized transform coefficients. In various embodiments, the video encoder (703) also includes a residue decoder (728). The residue decoder (728) is configured to perform inverse-transform, and generate the decoded residue data. The decoded residue data can be suitably used by the intra encoder (722) and the inter encoder (730). For example, the inter encoder (730) can generate decoded blocks based on the decoded residue data and inter prediction information, and the intra encoder (722) can generate decoded blocks based on the decoded residue data and the intra prediction information. The decoded blocks are suitably processed to generate decoded pictures and the decoded pictures can be buffered in a memory circuit (not shown) and used as reference pictures in some examples.

The entropy encoder (725) is configured to format the bitstream to include the encoded block. The entropy encoder (725) is configured to include various information in the bitstream according to a suitable standard, such as the HEVC standard. In an example, the entropy encoder (725) is configured to include the general control data, the selected prediction information (e.g., intra prediction information or inter prediction information), the residue information, and other suitable information in the bitstream. Note that, according to the disclosed subject matter, when coding a block in the merge submode of either inter mode or bi-prediction mode, there is no residue information.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary diagram of a video decoder (810). The video decoder (810) is configured to receive coded pictures that are part of a coded video sequence, and decode the coded pictures to generate reconstructed pictures. In an example, the video decoder (810) is used in the place of the video decoder (410) in the FIG. 4 example.

In the FIG. 8 example, the video decoder (810) includes an entropy decoder (871), an inter decoder (880), a residue decoder (873), a reconstruction module (874), and an intra decoder (872) coupled together as shown in FIG. 8 .

The entropy decoder (871) can be configured to reconstruct, from the coded picture, certain symbols that represent the syntax elements of which the coded picture is made up. Such symbols can include, for example, the mode in which a block is coded (such as, for example, intra mode, inter mode, bi-predicted mode, the latter two in merge submode or another submode) and prediction information (such as, for example, intra prediction information or inter prediction information) that can identify certain sample or metadata that is used for prediction by the intra decoder (872) or the inter decoder (880), respectively. The symbols can also include residual information in the form of, for example, quantized transform coefficients, and the like. In an example, when the prediction mode is inter or bi-predicted mode, the inter prediction information is provided to the inter decoder (880); and when the prediction type is the intra prediction type, the intra prediction information is provided to the intra decoder (872). The residual information can be subject to inverse quantization and is provided to the residue decoder (873).

The inter decoder (880) is configured to receive the inter prediction information, and generate inter prediction results based on the inter prediction information.

The intra decoder (872) is configured to receive the intra prediction information, and generate prediction results based on the intra prediction information.

The residue decoder (873) is configured to perform inverse quantization to extract de-quantized transform coefficients, and process the de-quantized transform coefficients to convert the residual information from the frequency domain to the spatial domain. The residue decoder (873) may also require certain control information (to include the Quantizer Parameter (QP)), and that information may be provided by the entropy decoder (871) (data path not depicted as this may be low volume control information only).

The reconstruction module (874) is configured to combine, in the spatial domain, the residual information as output by the residue decoder (873) and the prediction results (as output by the inter or intra prediction modules as the case may be) to form a reconstructed block, that may be part of the reconstructed picture, which in turn may be part of the reconstructed video. It is noted that other suitable operations, such as a deblocking operation and the like, can be performed to improve the visual quality.

It is noted that the video encoders (403), (603), and (703), and the video decoders (410), (510), and (810) can be implemented using any suitable technique. In an embodiment, the video encoders (403), (603), and (703), and the video decoders (410), (510), and (810) can be implemented using one or more integrated circuits. In another embodiment, the video encoders (403), (603), and (603), and the video decoders (410), (510), and (810) can be implemented using one or more processors that execute software instructions.

Various inter prediction modes can be used in VVC. For an inter-predicted CU, motion parameters can include MV(s), one or more reference picture indices, a reference picture list usage index, and additional information for certain coding features to be used for inter-predicted sample generation. A motion parameter can be signaled explicitly or implicitly. When a CU is coded with a skip mode, the CU can be associated with a PU and can have no significant residual coefficients, no coded motion vector delta or MV difference (e.g., MVD) or a reference picture index. A merge mode can be specified where the motion parameters for the current CU are obtained from neighboring CU(s), including spatial and/or temporal candidates, and optionally additional information such as introduced in VVC. The merge mode can be applied to an inter-predicted CU, not only for skip mode. In an example, an alternative to the merge mode is the explicit transmission of motion parameters, where MV(s), a corresponding reference picture index for each reference picture list and a reference picture list usage flag and other information are signaled explicitly per CU.

In an embodiment, such as in VVC, VVC Test model (VTM) reference software includes one or more refined inter prediction coding tools that include: an extended merge prediction, a merge motion vector difference (MMVD) mode, an adaptive motion vector prediction (AMVP) mode with symmetric MVD signaling, an affine motion compensated prediction, a subblock-based temporal motion vector prediction (SbTMVP), an adaptive motion vector resolution (AMVR), a motion field storage (1/16th luma sample MV storage and 8x8 motion field compression), a bi-prediction with CU-level weights (BCW), a bi-directional optical flow (BDOF), a prediction refinement using optical flow (PROF), a decoder side motion vector refinement (DMVR), a combined inter and intra prediction (CIIP), a geometric partitioning mode (GPM), and the like. Inter predictions and related methods are described in details below.

Extended merge prediction can be used in some examples. In an example, such as in VTM4, a merge candidate list is constructed by including the following five types of candidates in order: spatial motion vector predictor(s) (MVP(s)) from spatial neighboring CU(s), temporal MVP(s) from collocated CU(s), history-based MVP(s) from a first-in-first-out (FIFO) table, pairwise average MVP(s), and zero MV(s).

A size of the merge candidate list can be signaled in a slice header. In an example, the maximum allowed size of the merge candidate list is 6 in VTM4. For each CU coded in the merge mode, an index (e.g., a merge index) of a best merge candidate can be encoded using truncated unary binarization (TU). The first bin of the merge index can be coded with context (e.g., context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC)) and a bypass coding can be used for other bins.

Some examples of a generation process of each category of merge candidates are provided below. In an embodiment, spatial candidate(s) are derived as follows. The derivation of spatial merge candidates in VVC can be identical to that in HEVC. In an example, a maximum of four merge candidates are selected among candidates located in positions depicted in FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 shows positions of spatial merge candidates according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 9 , an order of derivation is B1, A1, B0, A0, and B2. The position B2 is considered only when any CU of positions A0, B0, B1, and A1 is not available (e.g., because the CU belongs to another slice or another tile) or is intra coded. After a candidate at the position A1 is added, the addition of the remaining candidates is subject to a redundancy check which ensures that candidates with same motion information are excluded from the candidate list so that coding efficiency is improved.

To reduce computational complexity, not all possible candidate pairs are considered in the mentioned redundancy check. Instead, only pairs linked with an arrow in FIG. 10 are considered and a candidate is only added to the candidate list if the corresponding candidate used for the redundancy check does not have the same motion information. FIG. 10 shows candidate pairs that are considered for a redundancy check of spatial merge candidates according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 10 , the pairs linked with respective arrows include A1 and B1, A1 and A0, A1 and B2, B1 and B0, and B1 and B2. Thus, candidates at the positions B1, A0, and/or B2 can be compared with the candidate at the position A1, and candidates at the positions B0 and/or B2 can be compared with the candidate at the position B1.

In an embodiment, temporal candidate(s) are derived as follows. In an example, only one temporal merge candidate is added to the candidate list. FIG. 11 shows exemplary motion vector scaling for a temporal merge candidate. To derive the temporal merge candidate of a current CU (1111) in a current picture (1101), a scaled MV (1121) (e.g., shown by a dotted line in FIG. 11 ) can be derived based on a co-located CU (1112) belonging to a collocated reference picture (1104). A reference picture list used to derive the co-located CU (1112) can be explicitly signaled in a slice header. The scaled MV (1121) for the temporal merge candidate can be obtained as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 11 . The scaled MV (1121) can be scaled from the MV of the co-located CU (1112) using picture order count (POC) distances tb and td. The POC distance tb can be defined to be the POC difference between a current reference picture (1102) of the current picture (1101) and the current picture (1101). The POC distance td can be defined to be the POC difference between the co-located reference picture (1104) of the co-located picture (1103) and the co-located picture (1103). A reference picture index of the temporal merge candidate can be set to zero.

FIG. 12 shows exemplary candidate positions (e.g., C0 and C1) for a temporal merge candidate of a current CU. A position for the temporal merge candidate can be selected between the candidate positions C0 and C1. The candidate position C0 is located at a bottom-right corner of a co-located CU (1210) of the current CU. The candidate position C1 is located at a center of the co-located CU (1210) of the current CU (1210). If a CU at the candidate position C0 is not available, is intra coded, or is outside of a current row of CTUs, the candidate position C1 is used to derive the temporal merge candidate. Otherwise, for example, the CU at the candidate position C0 is available, intra coded, and in the current row of CTUs, the candidate position C0 is used to derive the temporal merge candidate.

An adaptive motion vector resolution (AMVR) mode can be used in video/image coding, such as in VVC. In some technologies, such as the video coding standards HEVC and AVC/H.264, a fixed motion vector resolution (MVR) of a quarter (1/4) luma samples (or 1/4-pel) is used. In general, an optimum trade-off between a displacement vector rate and a prediction error rate is chosen to optimize the rate-distortion. In related technologies, such as VVC, the AMVR mode is enabled where an MVR can be selected, for example, at a coding block level from a plurality of MVRs, and thus to trade off a bit rate for fidelity of signaling motion parameters. The AMVR mode can be signaled at the coding block level, for example, if at least one component of an MVD is not equal to zero. A motion vector predictor (MVP) can be rounded to the given MVR such that a resulting MV (e.g., a sum of the MVP and the MVD) can fall on a grid of the given MVR.

In some examples, a flag, such as an AMVR flag (e.g., amvr _flag) specifies a resolution (e.g., an MVR) of an MVD. In an example, the AMVR flag (e.g., the amvr_flag) being equal to 0 specifies that the MVR of the MVD is 1/4 luma samples (1/4-pel). The AMVR flag (e.g., amvr_flag) being equal to 1 specifies that the MVR of the MVD is further specified by addition information such as an index (e.g., an AMVR precision index). For example, the coding block is predicted with the AMVP mode and the AMVR flag (e.g., amvr_flag) is 1, and thus the MVR is 1/2 luma samples (1/2-pel), 1 luma sample (1-pel), or 4 luma samples (4-pel) when the AMVR precision index is 0, 1, or 2, respectively.

A template matching (TM) technique can be used in video/image coding. To further improve the compression efficiency of VVC standard, for example, TM can be used to refine an MV. In an example, the TM is used at a decoder side. With the TM mode, an MV can be refined by constructing a template (e.g., a current template) of a block (e.g., a current block) in a current picture and determine the closest matching between the template of the block in the current picture and a plurality of possible templates (e.g., a plurality of possible reference templates) in a reference picture. In an embodiment, the template of the block in the current picture can include left neighboring reconstructed samples of the block and above neighboring reconstructed samples of the block. The TM can be used in video/image coding beyond VVC.

FIG. 13 shows an example of template matching (1300). The TM can be used to derive motion information (e.g., deriving final motion information from initial motion information, such as an initial MV 1302) of a current CU (1301) by determining the closest match between a template (1321) of the current CU (1301) in a current picture (1310) and a template of a plurality of possible templates (e.g., one of the plurality of possible templates being a template (1325)) in a reference picture (1311). The template (1321) of the current CU (1301) can have any suitable shape and any suitable size.

In an embodiment, the template (1321) of the current CU (1301) includes a top template (1322) and a left template (1323). Each of the top template (1322) and the left template (1323) can have any suitable shape and any suitable size.

The top template (1322) can include samples in one or more top neighboring blocks of the current CU (1301). In an example, the top template (1322) includes four rows of samples in one or more top neighboring blocks of the current CU (1301). The left template (1323) can include samples in one or more left neighboring blocks of the current CU (1301). In an example, the left template (1323) includes four columns of samples in the one or more left neighboring blocks of the current CU (1301).

Each one (e.g., the template (1325)) of the plurality of possible templates in the reference picture (1311) corresponds to the template (1321) in the current picture (1310). In an embodiment, the initial MV (1302) points from the current CU (1301) to a reference block (1303) in the reference picture (1311). Each one (e.g., the template (1325)) of the plurality of possible templates in the reference picture (1311) and the template (1321) in the current picture (1310) can have an identical shape and an identical size. For example, the template (1325) of the reference block (1303) includes a top template (1326) in the reference picture (1311) and a left template (1327) in the reference picture (1311). The top template (1326) can include samples in one or more top neighboring blocks of the reference block (1303). The left template (1327) can include samples in one or more left neighboring blocks of the reference block (1303).

A TM cost can be determined based on a pair of templates, such as the template (1321) and the template (1325). The TM cost can indicate matching between the template (1321) and the template (1325). An optimized MV (or a final MV) can be determined based on a search around the initial MV (1302) of the current CU (1301) within a search range (1315). The search range (1315) can have any suitable shape and any suitable number of reference samples. In an example, the search range (1315) in the reference picture (1311) includes a [-L, L]-pel range where L is a positive integer, such as 8 (e.g., 8 samples). For example, a difference (e.g., [0, 1]) is determined based on the search range (1315), and an intermediate MV is determined by a summation of the initial MV (1302) and the difference (e.g., [0, 1]). An intermediate reference block and a corresponding template in the reference picture (1311) can be determined based on the intermediate MV. A TM cost can be determined based on the template (1321) and the intermediate template in the reference picture (1311). The TM costs can correspond to the differences (e.g., [0, 0] corresponding to the initial MV (1302), [0, 1], and the like) that are determined based on the search range (1315). In an example, the difference corresponding to the smallest TM cost is selected, and the optimized MV is the summation of the difference corresponding to the smallest TM cost and the initial MV (1302). As described above, the TM can derive the final motion information (e.g., the optimized MV) from the initial motion information (e.g., the initial MV 1302).

The TM can be suitably modified. In an example, a search step size is determined by the AMVR mode. In an example, the TM can be cascaded (e.g., used together) with other coding method(s), such as a bilateral matching process.

In related technologies, TM is adopted to refine motion information of an MVP candidate in the AMVP mode and a merge candidate in the merge mode. TM can be used to reorder MVP candidates in the AMVP mode. An MVR index (e.g., the AMVR precision index) in the AMVR mode is encoded according to a fixed order, for example, a relationship between the MVR indices and the corresponding MVRs is fixed. For example, the MVR is ½ luma samples, 1 luma sample, or 4 luma samples when the AMVR precision index is 0, 1, or 2, respectively.

A set of MVRs (also referred to as a set of MV precisions) in the AMVP mode is available to code a current block. According to an aspect of the disclosure, template matching (TM) can be performed using a plurality of MVRs in the set of MVRs. The TM can be performed by (i) determining TM costs corresponding to each of the plurality of MVRs based on motion information (e.g., the motion information shared by the plurality of MVRs) and each of the plurality of MVRs, (ii) reordering the plurality of MVRs based on the determined TM costs respectively corresponding to each of the plurality of MVRs, and (iii) selecting an MVR from the reordered plurality of MVRs. The motion information can indicate MVP information that is used to determine MVP candidate(s) and MVD information. In an example, the motion information shared by the plurality of MVRs includes a candidate index that points to an MVP candidate in a candidate list. MVPs of the plurality of MVRs can be determined based on the MVP candidate indicated by the motion information and the plurality of MVRs, and thus can be different for the plurality of MVRs. MVs of the plurality of MVRs used to determine the TM costs in the TM can be based on the respective MVPs.

For example, for each of the plurality of MVRs, such as 1/2-pel for example, an MV or an MVP associated with the MVR (e.g., 1/2-pel) can be determined based on the MVR and the motion information (e.g., the candidate index that points to the MVP candidate in the candidate list). The MV/the MVP associated with the MVR is determined based on the motion information and the MVR. The MV/the MVP associated with the MVR can indicate a reference block associated with the MVR (e.g., 1/2-pel) in a reference picture. For example, the determined MV associated with the MVR (e.g., 1/2-pel) points from the current block in a current picture to the reference block associated with the MVR (e.g., 1/2-pel) in the reference picture. A cost (e.g., a TM cost) corresponding to the MVR (e.g., 1/2-pel) can be determined based on a current template of the current block in the current picture and a reference template of the reference block associated with the MVR (e.g., 1/2-pel) in the reference picture. The plurality of MVRs can be ranked (e.g., reordered) based on the determined TM costs respectively. In an example, the plurality of MVRs is ranked (e.g., reordered) in an ascending order of the TM costs when a flag (e.g., a sps_amvr_enabled _flag) is true.

In an example, the set of MVRs in the AMVP mode includes 1/4-pel, ½-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel. In an example, the plurality of MVRs is the set of MVRs. In another example, the plurality of MVRs is a subset of the set of MVRs that excludes the highest resolution (e.g., 1/4-pel). For example, the plurality of MVRs includes 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel and excludes 1/4-pel.

In an embodiment, the set of MVRs includes 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel. FIG. 14 shows an example of template matching (1400) applied to the set of MVRs. Template matching can be performed on a current template (1421) of a current block (1401) in a current picture (1410) and reference templates (1451)-(1454) of respective reference blocks (1431)-(1434) in a reference picture (1411). The current template (1421) can have any suitable shape and any suitable size. Shape(s) and size(s) of the reference templates (1451)-(1454) can match the shape and the size of the current template (1421), respectively. In an embodiment, the current template (1421) includes a top template and a left template.

An MV (1441) corresponding to the 1/4-pel resolution points from the current block (1401) to the reference block (1431) in the reference picture (1411). An MV (1442) corresponding to the 1/2-pel resolution points from the current block (1401) to the reference block (1432) in the reference picture (1411). An MV (1443) corresponding to the 1-pel resolution points from the current block (1401) to the reference block (1433) in the reference picture (1411). An MV (1444) corresponding to the 4-pel resolution points from the current block (1401) to the reference block (1434) in the reference picture (1411).

The template matching between the current template (1421) of the current block (1401) and the respective reference templates (1451)-(1454) in the reference picture (1411) can be performed as follows. A TM cost (TM0) is calculated based on the reference template (1451) and the current template (1421). A TM cost (TM1) is calculated based on the reference template (1452) and the current template (1421). A TM cost (TM2) is calculated based on the reference template (1453) and the current template (1421). A TM cost (TM4) is calculated based on the reference template (1454) and the current template (1421). The TM costs can be determined based on a sum of absolute difference (SAD) between the current template (1421) and the respective reference template (e.g., (1451)). Other functions, such as sum of squared errors (SSE), a variance, a partial SAD, or the like can also be used to determine the TM costs.

Subsequently, the MVRs can be ranked (e.g., reordered) based on the TM costs, for example, in an ascending order of the corresponding TM costs between the current template (1421) and the reference templates (1451)-(1454) that correspond to the set of MVRs. In an example, the set of MVRs includes 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel, and the TM costs in the ascending order is TM2, TM1, TM3, and TM0. TM2 is the smallest of TM0-TM3. The set of MVRs can be ranked (e.g., reordered) as 1-pel, 1/2-pel, 4-pel, and 1/4-pel.

A flag, such as a TM-AMVR flag (e.g., a tm_amvr_flag) can be used to indicate which MVR is selected for the current block (1401). In an example, the TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr_flag) being false indicates that a first MVR (e.g., 1-pel) corresponding to the smallest TM cost (e.g., TM2) in the TM costs (e.g., TM0-TM3) is selected. When the TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr_flag) is true, an index, such as a TM-AMVR precision index (e.g., a tm_amvr_precision_idx) is further signaled, for example, to indicate which MVR is selected for the current block (1401). The MVR can be selected from remaining MVRs (e.g., TM0, TM1, and TM3) in the set of MVRs that exclude the first MVR (e.g., 1-pel). For example, the ranked remaining MVRs is TM1, TM3, and TM0. The AMVR precision index (e.g., a tm_amvr_precision_idx) of 0, 1, or 2 indicates that the MVR is TM1, TM3, or TM0, respectively.

An exemplary pseudo syntax is shown as follows in Table 1. When certain conditions are met, such as the AMVR mode being enabled (e.g., the sps_amvr_enabled_flag being true), the affine mode not being enabled (e.g., an inter_affine_flag being false), and at least one component of an MVD of the current block (1401) not equal to zero, the TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr_flag) is signaled. When the TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr_flag) is false, the first MVR corresponding to the smallest TM cost in the TM costs is selected, and the TM-AMVR precision index (e.g., the tm_amvr_precision_idx) is not signaled. Otherwise, when the TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr_flag) is true, the TM-AMVR precision index (e.g., the tm_amvr_precision_idx) is signaled.

TABLE 1   if( (sps_amvr_enabled_flag && inter_affine_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] == 0 &&    ( MvdL0[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 0 ] != 0 | | MvdL0[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 1 ] != 0 | |    MvdL1[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 0 ] != 0 | | MvdL1[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 1 ] != 0))) {   tm_amvr_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ]   if(tm_amvr_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] )    tm_amvr_precision_idx[ x0 ][ y0 ]   }

In an embodiment, the TM is applied to all or some of the MVRs in the set of MVRs. For example, the set of MVRs includes 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel, and the plurality of MVRs to which TM is applied includes 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel and excludes 1/4-pel. In this case, when a flag, such as the AMVR flag, is false, 1/4-pel is used to code the current block (1401).

The template matching can be performed on the plurality of MVRs (e.g., 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel) as a variation of FIG. 14 . For example, the TM costs TM1, TM2, and TM3 corresponding to 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel, respectively are calculated as described in FIG. 14 and TM0 is not calculated. Subsequently, the plurality of MVRs (e.g., 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel) are reordered in an ascending order (e.g., TM2, TM1, and TM3 with TM2 being the smallest of TM1, TM2, and TM3) of the corresponding TM costs between the current template (1421) in the current picture (1410) and the reference blocks (e.g., (1432)-(1434)) in the reference picture (1411). The plurality of MVRs can be ranked (e.g., reordered) as 1-pel, 1/2-pel, and 4-pel. An index, such as the TM-AMVR precision index (e.g., the tm_amvr_precision_idx) is signaled, for example, to indicate which MVR is selected for the current block. The MVR can be selected from the plurality of MVRs (e.g., TM1-TM3). The TM-AMVR precision index (e.g., the tm_amvr_precision_idx) of 0, 1, or 2 indicates that the MVR is TM2, TM1, or TM3, respectively.

An exemplary pseudo syntax is shown as follows in Table 2. When certain conditions are met, such as the AMVR mode being enabled (e.g., the sps_amvr_enabled_flag being true), the affine mode not being enabled (e.g., the inter_affine_flag being false), and at least one component of an MVD of the current block (1401) not equal to zero, the AMVR flag (e.g., the amvr_flag)is signaled. When the AMVR flag (e.g., the amvr_flag) is false, 1/4-pel is selected, and the TM-AMVR precision index (e.g., the tm_amvr_precision_idx) is not signaled. Otherwise, when the AMVR flag (e.g., the amvr_flag) is true, the TM-AMVR precision index (e.g., the tm_amvr_precision_idx) is signaled.

TABLE 2 if( ( sps_amvr_enabled_flag && inter_affine_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] == 0 &&  ( MvdL0[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 0 ] != 0 | | MvdL0[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 1 ] != 0 | |  MvdL1[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 0 ] != 0 | | MvdL1[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 1 ] != 0 ) ) ) { amvr_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] if( amvr_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] )  tm_amvr_precision_idx[ x0 ][ y0 ] }

In an embodiment, the TM is applied to the set of MVRs. For example, the set of MVRs includes 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel. The template matching can be performed on the set of MVRs. For example, the TM costs TM0-TM3 corresponding to 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel, respectively are calculated as described in FIG. 14 . Subsequently, the set of MVRs are reordered in the ascending order (e.g., TM2, TM1, TM3, and TM0 with TM2 being the smallest of TMO-TM3) of the corresponding TM costs between the current template (1421) in the current picture (1410) and the reference templates (e.g., (1451)-(1454)) in the reference picture (1411). The set of MVRs can be ranked (e.g., reordered) as 1-pel, 1/2-pel, 4-pel, and 1/4-pel.

The TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr_flag) can be set as true when the MVR (e.g., 1-pel) with the smallest TM cost (e.g., TM2) is chosen. Otherwise, the TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr_flag) can be set as false and the regular AMVR signaling is used. In the regular AMVR signaling, the AMVR flag is signaled. If the AMVR flag is false, 1/4-pel is used to code the current block. If the AMVR flag is true, the AMVR precision index (e.g., the amvr_precision _idx) is signaled, for example, to indicate which MVR in the plurality of MVRs (e.g., TM1-TM3) is selected for the current block. The MVR can be selected from the plurality of MVRs (e.g., TM1-TM3). The AMVR precision index (e.g., the amvr_precision_idx) of 0, 1, or 2 indicates that the MVR is TM1, TM2, or TM3, respectively.

An exemplary pseudo syntax is shown as follows in Table 3. When certain conditions are met, such as the AMVR mode being enabled (e.g., the sps_amvr_enabled_flag being true), the affine mode not being enabled (e.g., the inter_affine_flag being false), and at least one component of an MVD of the current block not equal to zero, the TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr__flag) is signaled. When the TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr__flag) is false, the following is performed. For example, the AMVR flag (e.g., the amvr_flag) is signaled. When the AMVR flag (e.g., the amvr_flag) is false, 1/4-pel is selected, and the AMVR precision index (e.g., the amvr_precision _idx) is not signaled. Otherwise, when the AMVR flag (e.g., the amvr_flag)is true, the AMVR precision index (e.g., the amvr_precision _idx) is signaled.

TABLE 3 if( ( sps_amvr_enabled_flag && inter_affine_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] == 0 &&  ( MvdL0[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 0 ] != 0 | | MvdL0[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 1 ] != 0 | |  MvdL1[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 0 ] != 0 | | MvdL1[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 1 ] != 0 ) ) ) { tm_(_)amvr_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] if(tm_amvr_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] == 0) {  amvr_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ]  if(amvr_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] )   amvr_precision_idx[ x0 ][ y0 ]  }

In an embodiment, the AMVR flag (e.g., the amvr_flag) is signaled to indicate whether the AMVR mode is enabled or not.

If the AMVR mode is not enabled (e.g., the AMVR flag is false), 1/4-pel can be selected.

If the AMVR mode is enabled (e.g., the AMVR flag is true), the TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr_flag) is signaled to indicate whether the MVR with the smallest TM cost is selected.

When the TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr__flag) is true, the template matching is applied to the plurality of MVRs (e.g., 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel) that excludes 1/4-pel. For example, the TM costs TM1, TM2, and TM3 corresponding to 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel, respectively are calculated as described in FIG. 14 and TM0 is not calculated. Subsequently, the plurality of MVRs (e.g., 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel) are reordered in an ascending order (e.g., TM2, TM1, and TM3 with TM2 being the smallest of TM1-TM3) of the corresponding TM costs between the current template (1421) in the current picture (1410) and the reference templates (e.g., (1452)-(1454)) in the reference picture (1411). The plurality of MVRs can be ranked (e.g., reordered) as the 1-pel, the 1/2-pel, and the 4-pel. The MVR (e.g., 1-pel) is selected corresponding to the smallest TM cost (e.g., TM2) in the plurality of MVRs (e.g., 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel) that excludes 1/4-pel.

When the TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr_flag) is set as false, the AMVR precision index is signaled and the MVR is selected based on the AMVR precision index and without reordering the MVRs. For example, the MVR is 1/2-pel, 1-pel, or 4-pel when the AMVR precision index is 0, 1, or 2, respectively.

TABLE 4 if( ( sps_amvr_enabled _flag && inter_affine_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] == 0 &&   ( MvdL0[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 0] != 0 | | MvdL0[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 1 ] != 0 | |   MvdL1[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 0 ] != 0 | | MvdL1[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 1 ] != 0 ) ) ) {  amvr_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ]  if( amvr_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] ) {   tm_amvr_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ]   if(tm_amvr_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] == 0)    amvr_precision_idx[ x0 ][ y0 ]  }

An exemplary pseudo syntax is shown as follows in Table 4. When certain conditions are met, such as the AMVR mode being enabled (e.g., the sps_amvr_enabled_flag being true), the affine mode not being enabled (e.g., the inter_affine_flag being false), and at least one component of an MVD of the current block not equal to zero, the AMVR flag (e.g., the amvr_flag) is signaled. When the AMVR flag (e.g., the amvr_flag)is true, the following is performed. For example, the TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr_flag) is signaled. When the TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr_flag) is false, the AMVR precision index (e.g., the amvr_precision_idx) is signaled. Otherwise, when the TM-AMVR flag (e.g., the tm_amvr_flag) is true, the AMVR precision index (e.g., the amvr_precision_idx) is not signaled.

The above descriptions can be applied to a block that is coded with uni-prediction. The above descriptions can be adapted to scenarios where a block is coded with bi-prediction.

In an example, when the bi-prediction mode is used, a current block in a current picture can be coded using a first reference picture in a reference list 0 (L0) and a second reference picture in a reference list 1 (L1). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the template matching can be applied to calculate TM costs associated with the bi-prediction and rank (e.g., reorder) MVRs associated with the bi-prediction based on the calculated TM costs. For each MVR in the plurality of MVRs in the set of MVRs for the current block, two TM costs for L0 and L1 can be calculated respectively. Alternatively, a joint formula can be used to calculate a single TM cost for each MVR based on L0 and L1. In an example, the plurality of MVRs is the set of MVRs and includes 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel. In an example, the plurality of MVRs includes 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel and excludes 1/4-pel.

FIG. 15 shows an example of template matching (1500) applied to the plurality of MVRs when the current block (1401) is predicted using the bi-prediction mode. The current block (1401), the current picture (1410), the current template (1421), the MVs (1441)-(1444), the reference templates (1451)-(1454), the reference blocks (1431)-(1434), and the reference picture (1411) in FIG. 15 are described in FIG. 14 .

Referring to FIG. 15 , the MVs (1441)-(1444), the reference templates (1451)-(1454), the reference blocks (1431)-(1434), and the reference picture (1411) are referred to as the first MVs (1441)-(1444), the first reference templates (1451)-(1454), the first reference blocks (1431)-(1434), and the first reference picture (1411), respectively. The current block (1401) is predicted based on the first reference picture (1411) from L0 and a second reference picture (1511) from L1. Second MVs (1541)-(1544) correspond to the set of MVRs, such as 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel, respectively. The second MVs (1541)-(1544) point the current block (1401) to second reference blocks (1531)-(1534) in the second reference picture (1511), respectively. Second reference templates (1551)-(1554) are associated with the second reference blocks (1531)-(1534), respectively.

In an embodiment, the reordering of the MVRs for each reference list is applied respectively by using the TM costs of all possible MVRs for the respective reference list. Referring to FIG. 15 , first TM costs (e.g., TM₁0-TM₁3) are calculated for the respective plurality of MVRs based on the current template (1421) of the current picture (1410) and the first reference templates (1451)-(1454) in the first reference picture (1411), as described in FIG. 14 . In an example, TM₁0-TM₁3 are equal to TM0-TM3, respectively. Second TM costs (e.g., TM₂0-TM₂3) are calculated for the respective plurality of MVRs based on the current template (1421) of the current picture (1410) and the second reference templates (1551)-(1554) in the second reference picture (1511), such as described in FIG. 14 .

The plurality of MVRs for L0 can be ranked (e.g., reordered) based on the first TM costs, such as an ascending order of the first TM costs. In an example, the ascending order of the first TM costs (e.g., TM₁0-TM₁3) is TM₁2, TM₁1, TM₁3, and TM₁0. In this example, TM₁2 is the smallest TM cost of TM₁0-TM₁3. The plurality of MVRs for L0 can be ranked (e.g., reordered) as 1-pel, 1/2-pel, 4-pel, and 1/4-pel for L0.

The plurality of MVRs for L1 can be ranked (e.g., reordered) based on the second TM costs, such as an ascending order of the second TM costs. In an example, the ascending order of the second TM costs is TM₂3, TM₂0, TM₂1, and TM₂2. In this example, TM₂3 is the smallest TM cost of TM₂0-TM₂3. The plurality of MVRs for L1 can be ranked (e.g., reordered) as 4-pel, 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, and 1-pel.

A common MV precision index can be signaled for both the reference list 0 and the reference list 1 to respectively indicate which reordered MVR is used. In an example, the MVR orders of L0 and L1 are different, such as described above. For example, the plurality of MVRs for L0 is ranked (e.g., reordered) as 1-pel, 1/2-pel, 4-pel, and 1/4-pel for L0, and the plurality of MVRs for L1 is ranked (e.g., reordered) as 4-pel, 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, and 1-pel. The common MV precision index being 0, 1, 2, or 3 indicates that 1-pel, 1/2-pel, 4-pel, or 1/4-pel is selected for L0 and 4-pel, 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, or 1-pel is selected for L1. For example, the common MV precision index being 1 indicates that the second best MVR (e.g., 1/2-pel) of L0 is selected for L0, and the second best MVR (e.g., 1/4-pel) of L1 is selected for L1.

In an embodiment, the MVR orders of the two lists L0 and L1 are independently refined based on the template matching, as described above with reference to FIG. 15 . Two MV precision indices can be signaled for the two lists L0 and L1, respectively. For example, the plurality of MVRs for L0 is ranked (e.g., reordered) as 1-pel, 1/2-pel, 4-pel, and 1/4-pel for L0, and the plurality of MVRs for L1 is ranked (e.g., reordered) as 4-pel, 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, and 1-pel. A first MV precision index being 0, 1, 2, or 3 indicates that 1-pel, 1/2-pel, 4-pel, or 1/4-pel is selected for L0. A second MV precision index being 0, 1, 2, or 3 indicates that 4-pel, 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, or 1-pel is selected for L1. For example, the first MV precision index being 1 indicates 1/2-pel is selected for L0, and the second MV precision index being 2 indicates 4-pel is selected for L1.

In an embodiment, the reordering of the plurality of MVRs is derived using the TM costs of the plurality of MVRs in the ascending order of the TM costs. The TM cost for each MVR can be calculated by using a joint formula of the first TM cost from the reference list 0 and the second TM cost from the reference list 1. The joint formula can be implemented in a weighted sum of the TM costs from the two reference lists L0 and L1, the minimum cost, or the maximum cost between the first TM cost from the reference list 0 and the second TM cost from the reference list 1. The orders of the plurality of MVRs of the two lists L0 and L1 are identical.

The first TM costs (e.g., TM₁0-TM₁3) for L0 and the second TM costs (e.g., TM₂0-TM₂3) for L1 are calculated as described in FIG. 15 . In an example, the joint formula for an MVR is a weighted sum of the first TM cost of the MVR for L0 and the corresponding second TM cost of the MVR for L1. Accordingly, combined TM costs (e.g., TM_(c)0-TM_(c)3) for L0 and L1 correspond to the first TM costs (e.g., TM₁0-TM₁3) for L0 and the second TM costs (e.g., TM₂0-TM₂3) for L1. For example, the combined TM cost TM_(c)0 is a weighted sum of TM₁0 and TM₂0.

In an example, the joint formula for an MVR is a minimum cost of the first TM cost of the MVR for L0 and the corresponding second TM cost of the MVR for L1. For example, the combined TM cost TM_(c)0 is the minimum cost of TM₁0 and TM₂0.

In an example, the joint formula for an MVR is a maximum cost of the first TM cost of the MVR for L0 and the corresponding second TM cost of the MVR for L1. For example, the combined TM cost TM_(c)0 is the maximum cost of TM₁0 and TM₂0.

The above descriptions of the joint formula for an MVR can be adapted where the first TM cost of a first MVR for L0 and the corresponding second TM cost of a second MVR for L1 are used to calculate the combined TM cost TM_(c)(i,j), where the first MVR and the second MVR are different. In an example, i is an integer 0, 1, 2, or 3, and j is an integer 0, 1, 2, or 3. The combined TM costs can have 16 different combinations of the irst TM cost of the first MVR for L0 and the corresponding second TM cost of the second MVR for L1.

Embodiments associated with the bi-prediction are described with respect to a plurality of MVRs that includes 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel. The descriptions with the bi-prediction can be adapted when the plurality of MVRs includes less or more MVRs, for example, when the plurality of MVRs includes 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel and excludes 1/4-pel. The pseudo syntax described in Tables 1-4 can also be adapted to the bi-prediction.

FIG. 16 shows a flow chart outlining an encoding process (1600) according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In various embodiments, the process (1600) is executed by processing circuitry, such as the processing circuitry in the terminal devices (310), (320), (330) and (340), processing circuitry that performs functions of a video encoder (e.g., (403), (603), (703)), or the like. In some embodiments, the process (1600) is implemented in software instructions, thus when the processing circuitry executes the software instructions, the processing circuitry performs the process (1600). The process starts at (S1601), and proceeds to (S1610).

At (S1610), for a current block in a current picture, template matching (TM) can be performed on a plurality of motion vector (MV) resolutions (MVRs) in a set of MV resolutions by (i) determining TM costs corresponding to each of the plurality of MVRs based on the plurality of MVRs and motion information (e.g., the motion information shared by the plurality of MVRs), (ii) ranking (e.g., reordering) the plurality of MVRs based on the determined TM costs respectively, and (iii) selecting an MVR from the ranked plurality of MVRs. The set of MV resolutions is available for the current block. The set of MV resolutions can include 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel.

Referring to FIG. 14 or FIG. 15 , for each (e.g., 1/2-pel) of the plurality of MVRs in the set of MVRs, a first reference block (e.g., (1432)) in a first reference picture (e.g., (1411)) can be determined based on the current block (e.g., (1401)) in the current picture (e.g., (1410)), the motion information, and the respective MV resolution (e.g., 1/2-pel). For example, the motion information and the respective MV resolution (e.g., 1/2-pel) indicates the MV (1442) associated with the MVR (e.g., 1/2-pel), and the MV (1442) points to the first reference block (e.g., 1432) from the current block (1401). A TM cost (e.g., TM1 in FIG. 14 or TM₀1 in FIG. 15 ) can be determined based on a first reference template (e.g., (1452)) of the first reference block (e.g., 1432) in the first reference picture (e.g., 1411) and a current template (e.g., (1421)) of the current block (e.g., (1401)) in the current picture (e.g., (1410)). Thus, the TM costs corresponding to the plurality of MVRs can be determined.

In an example, the plurality of MVRs for which TM costs are determined is the set of MV resolutions. Thus, the TM costs (e.g., TM0-TM3) corresponding to the set of MV resolutions (e.g., 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel) can be determined.

In another example, the plurality of MVRs for which TM costs are determined includes 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel and excludes 1/4-pel. Thus, the TM costs (e.g., TM1-TM3) corresponding to 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel, respectively, can be determined.

In an embodiment, the plurality of MVRs is the set of MVRs (e.g., 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel). In an example, the TM costs in an ascending order are TM2, TM1, TM3, and TM0. TM2 is the smallest TM cost of TMO-TM3. The set of MVRs can be ranked (e.g., reordered) as 1-pel, 1/2-pel, 4-pel, and 1/4-pel, in correspondence with the ascending order of the TM costs.

In an example, a first MVR (e.g., 1-pel) corresponding to the smallest TM cost (e.g., TM2) among the determined TM costs is selected to be the MVR used to encode the current block.

In an example, the first MVR (e.g., 1-pel) is not to be selected as the MVR used to encode the current block. The MVR used to encode the current block is selected from remaining MVRs (e.g., 1/2-pel, 4-pel, and 1/4-pel) in the ranked plurality of MVRs. The remaining MVRs exclude the first MVR (e.g., 1-pel).

In an embodiment, the current block is encoded with bi-prediction. The TM costs corresponding to the plurality of MVRs can be determined based on embodiments or a variation of the embodiments described in FIG. 15 . Referring to FIG. 15 , for each (e.g., 1/2-pel) of the plurality of MVRs in the set of MVRs, a TM cost corresponding to the MVR (e.g., 1/2-pel) can be determined based on a first TM cost and a second TM cost. The first TM cost can be determined based on the first reference template (e.g., 1452) of the first reference block (e.g., 1432) in the first reference picture (e.g., 1411) and based on the current template (e.g., 1421) of the current block (e.g., 1401) in the current picture (e.g., 1410). The second TM cost can be determined based on a second reference template (e.g., 1552) of a second reference block (e.g., 1532) in a second reference picture (e.g., 1511) and based on the current template (e.g., 1421) of the current block (e.g., 1401) in the current picture (e.g., 1410).

In an example, for each of the plurality of MVRs in the set of MVRs, the TM cost is a weighted sum of the first TM cost and the second TM cost.

In an example, for each of the plurality of MVRs in the set of MVRs, the TM cost is a minimum or a maximum of the first TM cost and the second TM cost.

At (S1620), the current block can be encoded based on the selected MVR using an adaptive motion vector prediction (AMVP) mode. Prediction information indicating (i) the AMVP mode with an adaptive motion vector resolution (AMVR) mode being applied to the current block and (ii) the motion information can be encoded.

In an example, the prediction information indicates whether to apply the first MVR (e.g., 1-pel) corresponding to the smallest TM cost (e.g., TM2) to the current block.

In an example, if the current block is encoded with the bi-prediction, the prediction information indicates that the current block is encoded with the bi-prediction.

At (S1630), the encoded current block and/or the prediction information can be included in a video bitstream.

The process (1600) then proceeds to (S1699), and terminates.

The process (1600) can be suitably adapted to various scenarios and steps in the process (1600) can be adjusted accordingly. One or more of the steps in the process (1600) can be adapted, omitted, repeated, and/or combined. Any suitable order can be used to implement the process (1600). Additional step(s) can be added.

In an example, the first MVR (e.g., 1-pel) corresponding to the smallest TM cost is not applied to the current block. A second MVR is selected based on the remaining MVRs (e.g., 1/2-pel, 4-pel, and 1/4-pel) in the ranked plurality of MVRs. The remaining MVRs exclude the first MVR corresponding to the smallest TM cost. An index indicating the second MVR, such as the TM-AMVR precision index (e.g., the tm_amvr_precision_idx) can be encoded in the video bitstream at (S1630). For example, the TM-AMVR precision index being 0, 1, or 2 indicates the second MVR being 1/2-pel, 4-pel, or 1/4-pel.

In an embodiment, the set of MVRs (e.g., 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel) includes an MVR (e.g., 1/4-pel) that is not in the plurality of MVRs (e.g., 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel) for which TM costs are determined. The MVR (e.g., 1/4-pel) is not applied to the current block. The prediction information can indicate that the MVR (e.g., 1/4-pel) is not applied to the current block. Another MVR can be selected based on the ranked plurality of MVRs (e.g., 1-pel, 1/2-pel, and 4-pel). An index indicating the other MV resolution, such as the TM-AMVR precision index (e.g., the tm_amvr_precision _idx) is encoded in the video bitstream. For example, the TM-AMVR precision index being 0, 1, or 2 indicates the other MVR being 1-pel, 1/2-pel, or 4-pel.

FIG. 17 shows a flow chart outlining a decoding process (1700) according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In various embodiments, the process (1700) is executed by processing circuitry, such as the processing circuitry in the terminal devices (310), (320), (330) and (340), the processing circuitry that performs functions of the video encoder (403), the processing circuitry that performs functions of the video decoder (410), the processing circuitry that performs functions of the video decoder (510), the processing circuitry that performs functions of the video encoder (603), and the like. In some embodiments, the process (1700) is implemented in software instructions, thus when the processing circuitry executes the software instructions, the processing circuitry performs the process (1700). The process starts at (S1701), and proceeds to (S1710).

At (S1710), prediction information of a current block in a current picture can be decoded from a coded video bitstream. The prediction information can indicate (i) that an adaptive motion vector prediction (AMVP) mode with an adaptive motion vector resolution (AMVR) mode are applied to the current block and indicate (ii) motion information. A set of motion vector (MV) resolutions (MVRs) in the AMVR mode are available for the current block.

The set of MVRs can include 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel.

At (S1720), template matching (TM) can be performed on a plurality of MVRs in the set of MVRs.

The TM can be performed by (i) determining respective TM costs corresponding to each of the plurality of MVRs based on the plurality of MVRs and the motion information; (ii) ranking (e.g., reordering) the plurality of MVRs based on the determined TM costs respectively corresponding to each of the plurality of MVRs; and (iii) selecting an MVR from the ranked plurality of MVRs. In an example, the selected MVR is used to decode the current block.

Referring to FIG. 14 or FIG. 15 , for each (e.g., 1/2-pel) of the plurality of MVRs in the set of MVR, a first reference block (e.g., 1432) in a first reference picture (e.g., 1411) can be determined based on the current block (e.g., 1401) in the current picture (e.g., 1410), the motion information, and the respective MVR. For example, the motion information and the respective MVR (e.g., 1/2-pel) indicates the MV (1442) associated with the MVR (e.g., 1/2-pel), and the MV 1442 points to the first reference block (e.g., 1432) from the current block (1401). A TM cost (e.g., TM1 in FIG. 14 or TM₁1 in FIG. 15 ) can be determined based on a first reference template (e.g., (1452)) of the first reference block (e.g., 1432) in the first reference picture (e.g., 1411) and a current template (e.g., 1421) of the current block (e.g., 1401) in the current picture (e.g., 1410). Thus, the TM costs (e.g., TM0-TM3 in FIG. 14 or TM₁0-TM₁3 in FIG. 15 ) corresponding to the plurality of MVRs can be determined.

In an example, the plurality of MVRs for which TM costs are determined is the set of MVRs. Thus, the TM costs (e.g., TM0-TM3) corresponding to the set of MVRs (e.g., 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel) can be determined.

In another example, the plurality of MVRs for which TM costs are determined includes 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel and excludes 1/4-pel. Thus, the TM costs (e.g., TM1-TM3) corresponding to 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel, respectively, can be determined.

In an embodiment, the plurality of MVRs for which TM costs are determined is the set of MVRs (e.g., 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel). In an example, the TM costs in the ascending order are TM2, TM1, TM3, and TM0. TM2 is the smallest TM cost of TM0-TM3. The set of MVRs can be ranked (e.g., reordered) as 1-pel, 1/2-pel, 4-pel, and 1/4-pel.

The prediction information indicates whether to apply a first MVR to the current block. The first MVR corresponds to the smallest TM cost (e.g., TM2) among the determined TM costs. If the first MVR (e.g., 1-pel) is indicated to be applied to the current block, the first MVR is selected to be the MVR that is used to decode the current block.

If the first MVR (e.g., 1-pel) is indicated not to be applied to the current block, the MVR used to decode the current block is selected from remaining MVRs (e.g., 1/2-pel, 4-pel, and 1/4-pel) in the ranked plurality of MVRs. The remaining MVRs exclude the first MVR (e.g., 1-pel).

In an example, the first MVR (e.g., 1-pel) is not applied to the current block. An index, such as the TM-AMVR precision index (e.g., the tm_amvr_precision_idx) is decoded in the coded video bitstream. A second MVR is selected from the remaining MVRs (e.g., 1/2-pel, 4-pel, and 1/4-pel) in the ranked plurality of MVRs based on the index (e.g., the tm_amvr_precision_idx), where the remaining MVRs exclude the first MVR. For example, the TM-AMVR precision index being 0, 1, or 2 indicates the second MVR being 1/2-pel, 4-pel, or 1/4-pel.

In an embodiment, the set of MVRs (e.g., 1/4-pel, 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel) includes an MVR (e.g., 1/4-pel) that is not in the plurality of MVRs (e.g., 1/2-pel, 1-pel, and 4-pel) for which TM costs are determined. The prediction information indicates that the excluded MVR (e.g., 1/4-pel) is not applied to the current block. An index, such as the TM-AMVR precision index (e.g., the tm_amvr_precision _idx) in the coded video bitstream is decoded. Another MVR can be selected based on the ranked plurality of MVRs (e.g., 1-pel, 1/2-pel, and 4-pel) and based on the index (e.g., the tm_amvr_precision_idx). For example, the TM-AMVR precision index being 0, 1, or 2 indicates the other MVR being 1-pel, 1/2-pel, or 4-pel. The other MVR can be used to decode the current block.

In an embodiment, the prediction information indicates that the current block is coded with bi-prediction. The TM costs corresponding to the plurality of MVRs can be determined as described in FIG. 15 or a variation of FIG. 15 . Referring to FIG. 15 , for each (e.g., 1/2-pel) of the plurality of MVRs in the set of MVRs, a TM cost corresponding to the MVR (e.g., 1/2-pel) can be determined based on a first TM cost and a second TM cost. The first TM cost can be determined based on the first reference template (e.g., 1452) of the first reference block (e.g., 1432) in the first reference picture (e.g., 1411) and based on the current template (e.g., 1421) of the current block (e.g., 1401) in the current picture (e.g., 1410). The second TM cost can be determined based on a second reference template (e.g., 1552) of a second reference block (e.g., 1532) in a second reference picture (e.g., 1511) and based on the current template (e.g., 1421) of the current block (e.g., 1401) in the current picture (e.g., 1410).

In an example, for each of the plurality of MVRs in the set of MVRs, the TM cost is a weighted sum of the first TM cost and the second TM cost.

In an example, for each of the plurality of MVRs in the set of MVRs, the TM cost is a minimum or a maximum of the first TM cost and the second TM cost.

At (S1730), the current block can be reconstructed based on the selected MVR. The process (1700) proceeds to (S1799), and terminates.

The process (1700) can be suitably adapted to various scenarios and steps in the process (1700) can be adjusted accordingly. One or more of the steps in the process (1700) can be adapted, omitted, repeated, and/or combined. Any suitable order can be used to implement the process (1700). Additional step(s) can be added.

Embodiments in the disclosure may be used separately or combined in any order. Further, each of the methods (or embodiments), an encoder, and a decoder may be implemented by processing circuitry (e.g., one or more processors or one or more integrated circuits). In one example, the one or more processors execute a program that is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

The techniques described above can be implemented as computer software using computer-readable instructions and physically stored in one or more computer-readable media. For example, FIG. 18 shows a computer system (1800) suitable for implementing certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

The computer software can be coded using any suitable machine code or computer language, that may be subject to assembly, compilation, linking, or like mechanisms to create code comprising instructions that can be executed directly, or through interpretation, micro-code execution, and the like, by one or more computer central processing units (CPUs), Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), and the like.

The instructions can be executed on various types of computers or components thereof, including, for example, personal computers, tablet computers, servers, smartphones, gaming devices, internet of things devices, and the like.

The components shown in FIG. 18 for computer system (1800) are exemplary in nature and are not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the computer software implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. Neither should the configuration of components be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of a computer system (1800).

Computer system (1800) may include certain human interface input devices. Such a human interface input device may be responsive to input by one or more human users through, for example, tactile input (such as: keystrokes, swipes, data glove movements), audio input (such as: voice, clapping), visual input (such as: gestures), olfactory input (not depicted). The human interface devices can also be used to capture certain media not necessarily directly related to conscious input by a human, such as audio (such as: speech, music, ambient sound), images (such as: scanned images, photographic images obtain from a still image camera), video (such as two-dimensional video, three-dimensional video including stereoscopic video).

Input human interface devices may include one or more of (only one of each depicted): keyboard (1801), mouse (1802), trackpad (1803), touch-screen (1810), data-glove (not shown), joystick (1805), microphone (1806), scanner (1807), camera (1808).

Computer system (1800) may also include certain human interface output devices. Such human interface output devices may be stimulating the senses of one or more human users through, for example, tactile output, sound, light, and smell/taste. Such human interface output devices may include tactile output devices (for example tactile feedback by the touch-screen (1810), data-glove (not shown), or joystick (1805), but there can also be tactile feedback devices that do not serve as input devices), audio output devices (such as: speakers (1809), headphones (not depicted)), visual output devices (such as screens (1810) to include CRT screens, LCD screens, plasma screens, OLED screens, each with or without touch-screen input capability, each with or without tactile feedback capability—some of which may be capable to output two dimensional visual output or more than three dimensional output through means such as stereographic output; virtual-reality glasses (not depicted), holographic displays and smoke tanks (not depicted)), and printers (not depicted).

Computer system (1800) can also include human accessible storage devices and their associated media such as optical media including CD/DVD ROM/RW (1820) with CD/DVD or the like media (1821), thumb-drive (1822), removable hard drive or solid state drive (1823), legacy magnetic media such as tape and floppy disc (not depicted), specialized ROM/ASIC/PLD based devices such as security dongles (not depicted), and the like.

Those skilled in the art should also understand that term “computer readable media” as used in connection with the presently disclosed subject matter does not encompass transmission media, carrier waves, or other transitory signals.

Computer system (1800) can also include an interface (1854) to one or more communication networks (1855). Networks can for example be wireless, wireline, optical. Networks can further be local, wide-area, metropolitan, vehicular and industrial, real-time, delay-tolerant, and so on. Examples of networks include local area networks such as Ethernet, wireless LANs, cellular networks to include GSM, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE and the like, TV wireline or wireless wide area digital networks to include cable TV, satellite TV, and terrestrial broadcast TV, vehicular and industrial to include CANBus, and so forth. Certain networks commonly require external network interface adapters that attached to certain general purpose data ports or peripheral buses (1849) (such as, for example USB ports of the computer system (1800)); others are commonly integrated into the core of the computer system (1800) by attachment to a system bus as described below (for example Ethernet interface into a PC computer system or cellular network interface into a smartphone computer system). Using any of these networks, computer system (1800) can communicate with other entities. Such communication can be uni-directional, receive only (for example, broadcast TV), uni-directional send-only (for example CANbus to certain CANbus devices), or bi-directional, for example to other computer systems using local or wide area digital networks. Certain protocols and protocol stacks can be used on each of those networks and network interfaces as described above.

Aforementioned human interface devices, human-accessible storage devices, and network interfaces can be attached to a core (1840) of the computer system (1800).

The core (1840) can include one or more Central Processing Units (CPU) (1841), Graphics Processing Units (GPU) (1842), specialized programmable processing units in the form of Field Programmable Gate Areas (FPGA) (1843), hardware accelerators for certain tasks (1844), graphics adapters (1850), and so forth. These devices, along with Read-only memory (ROM) (1845), Random-access memory (1846), internal mass storage such as internal non-user accessible hard drives, SSDs, and the like (1847), may be connected through a system bus (1848). In some computer systems, the system bus (1848) can be accessible in the form of one or more physical plugs to enable extensions by additional CPUs, GPU, and the like. The peripheral devices can be attached either directly to the core’s system bus (1848), or through a peripheral bus (1849). In an example, the screen (1810) can be connected to the graphics adapter (1850). Architectures for a peripheral bus include PCI, USB, and the like.

CPUs (1841), GPUs (1842), FPGAs (1843), and accelerators (1844) can execute certain instructions that, in combination, can make up the aforementioned computer code. That computer code can be stored in ROM (1845) or RAM (1846). Transitional data can be stored in RAM (1846), whereas permanent data can be stored for example, in the internal mass storage (1847). Fast storage and retrieve to any of the memory devices can be enabled through the use of cache memory, that can be closely associated with one or more CPU (1841), GPU (1842), mass storage (1847), ROM (1845), RAM (1846), and the like.

The computer readable media can have computer code thereon for performing various computer-implemented operations. The media and computer code can be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present disclosure, or they can be of the kind well known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts.

As an example and not by way of limitation, the computer system having architecture (1800), and specifically the core (1840) can provide functionality as a result of processor(s) (including CPUs, GPUs, FPGA, accelerators, and the like) executing software embodied in one or more tangible, computer-readable media. Such computer-readable media can be media associated with user-accessible mass storage as introduced above, as well as certain storage of the core (1840) that are of non-transitory nature, such as core-internal mass storage (1847) or ROM (1845). The software implementing various embodiments of the present disclosure can be stored in such devices and executed by core (1840). A computer-readable medium can include one or more memory devices or chips, according to particular needs. The software can cause the core (1840) and specifically the processors therein (including CPU, GPU, FPGA, and the like) to execute particular processes or particular parts of particular processes described herein, including defining data structures stored in RAM (1846) and modifying such data structures according to the processes defined by the software. In addition or as an alternative, the computer system can provide functionality as a result of logic hardwired or otherwise embodied in a circuit (for example: accelerator (1844)), which can operate in place of or together with software to execute particular processes or particular parts of particular processes described herein. Reference to software can encompass logic, and vice versa, where appropriate. Reference to a computer-readable media can encompass a circuit (such as an integrated circuit (IC)) storing software for execution, a circuit embodying logic for execution, or both, where appropriate. The present disclosure encompasses any suitable combination of hardware and software.

Appendix A: Acronyms

-   JEM: joint exploration model -   VVC: versatile video coding -   BMS: benchmark set -   MV: Motion Vector -   HEVC: High Efficiency Video Coding -   SEI: Supplementary Enhancement Information -   VUI: Video Usability Information -   GOPs: Groups of Pictures -   TUs: Transform Units, -   PUs: Prediction Units -   CTUs: Coding Tree Units -   CTBs: Coding Tree Blocks -   PBs: Prediction Blocks -   HRD: Hypothetical Reference Decoder -   SNR: Signal Noise Ratio -   CPUs: Central Processing Units -   GPUs: Graphics Processing Units -   CRT: Cathode Ray Tube -   LCD: Liquid-Crystal Display -   OLED: Organic Light-Emitting Diode -   CD: Compact Disc -   DVD: Digital Video Disc -   ROM: Read-Only Memory -   RAM: Random Access Memory -   ASIC: Application-Specific Integrated Circuit -   PLD: Programmable Logic Device -   LAN: Local Area Network -   GSM: Global System for Mobile communications -   LTE: Long-Term Evolution -   CANBus: Controller Area Network Bus -   USB: Universal Serial Bus -   PCI: Peripheral Component Interconnect -   FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Areas -   SSD: solid-state drive -   IC: Integrated Circuit -   CU: Coding Unit -   R-D: Rate-Distortion

While this disclosure has described several exemplary embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and various substitute equivalents, which fall within the scope of the disclosure. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems and methods which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and are thus within the spirit and scope thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for video decoding in a video decoder, comprising: decoding prediction information of a current block in a current picture from a coded video bitstream, the prediction information indicating (i) an adaptive motion vector prediction (AMVP) mode with an adaptive motion vector resolution (AMVR) mode being applied to the current block and (ii) motion information, a set of motion vector (MV) resolutions in the AMVR mode being available for the current block; performing template matching (TM) on a plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions by determining respective TM costs corresponding to each of the plurality of MV resolutions based on the plurality of MV resolutions and the motion information; reordering the plurality of MV resolutions based on the determined TM costs respectively corresponding to each of the plurality of MV resolutions; and selecting an MV resolution from the reordered plurality of MV resolutions; and reconstructing the current block based on the selected MV resolution.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the TM costs comprises: for each of the plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions, determining a first reference block in a first reference picture based on the current block in the current picture, the motion information, and the respective MV resolution; and determining a TM cost based on a first reference template of the first reference block in the first reference picture and a current template of the current block in the current picture.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of MV resolutions is the set of MV resolutions; the prediction information indicates whether to apply a first MV resolution to the current block, the first MV resolution corresponding to the smallest TM cost among the determined TM costs respectively; in response to an indication that the first MV resolution is applied to the current block, the selecting the MV resolution includes selecting the first MV resolution to be the MV resolution; and the reconstructing the current block includes reconstructing the current block based on the first MV resolution; and in response to an indication that the first MV resolution is not applied to the current block, the selecting the MV resolution includes selecting the MV resolution from remaining MV resolutions in the reordered plurality of MV resolutions, the remaining MV resolutions excluding the first MV resolution; and the reconstructing the current block includes reconstructing the current block based on the selected MV resolution.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of MV resolutions includes ¼ luma samples, ½ luma samples, 1 luma sample, and 4 luma samples.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first MV resolution is not applied to the current block; the decoding the prediction information includes decoding an index in the coded video bitstream; the selecting the MV resolution includes selecting a second MV resolution from the remaining MV resolutions in the reordered plurality of MV resolutions based on the index, the remaining MV resolutions excluding the first MV resolution; and the reconstructing the current block includes reconstructing the current block based on the second MV resolution.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of MV resolutions includes a third MV resolution that is not in the plurality of MV resolutions; the prediction information indicates that the third MV resolution is not applied to the current block; the decoding the prediction information includes decoding an index in the coded video bitstream; the selecting the MV resolution includes selecting a fourth MV resolution from the reordered plurality of MV resolutions based on the index; and the reconstructing the current block includes reconstructing the current block based on the fourth MV resolution.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the set of MV resolutions consists of ¼ luma samples, ½ luma samples, 1 luma sample, and 4 luma samples; the third MV resolution is ¼ luma samples; and the plurality of MV resolutions consists of ½ luma samples, 1 luma sample, and 4 luma samples.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the prediction information indicates that the current block is coded with bi-prediction; and determining the TM costs corresponding to the plurality of MV resolutions includes: for each of the plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions, determining a TM cost based on a first TM cost and a second TM cost, the first TM cost being determined based on a first reference template of a first reference block in a first reference picture and based on a current template of the current block in the current picture, the second TM cost being determined based on a second reference template of a second reference block in a second reference picture and based on the current template of the current block in the current picture.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein for each of the plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions, the TM cost is a weighted sum of the first TM cost and the second first TM cost.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein for each of the plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions, the TM cost is a minimum or a maximum of the first TM cost and the second TM cost.
 11. An apparatus for video decoding, comprising: processing circuitry configured to: decode prediction information of a current block in a current picture from a coded video bitstream, the prediction information indicating (i) an adaptive motion vector prediction (AMVP) mode with an adaptive motion vector resolution (AMVR) mode being applied to the current block and (ii) motion information, a set of motion vector (MV) resolutions in the AMVR mode being available for the current block; perform template matching (TM) on a plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions by determining respective TM costs corresponding to each of the plurality of MV resolutions based on the plurality of MV resolutions and the motion information; reordering the plurality of MV resolutions based on the determined TM costs respectively corresponding to each of the plurality of MV resolutions; and selecting an MV resolution from the reordered plurality of MV resolutions; and reconstruct the current block based on the selected MV resolution.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to: for each of the plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions, determine a first reference block in a first reference picture based on the current block in the current picture, the motion information, and the respective MV resolution; and determine a TM cost based on a first reference template of the first reference block in the first reference picture and a current template of the current block in the current picture.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality of MV resolutions is the set of MV resolutions; the prediction information indicates whether to apply a first MV resolution to the current block, the first MV resolution corresponding to the smallest TM cost among the determined TM costs respectively; in response to an indication that the first MV resolution is applied to the current block, the processing circuitry is configured to: select the first MV resolution to be the MV resolution; and reconstruct the current block based on the first MV resolution; and in response to an indication that the first MV resolution is not applied to the current block, the processing circuitry is configured to: select the MV resolution from remaining MV resolutions in the reordered plurality of MV resolutions, the remaining MV resolutions excluding the first MV resolution; and reconstruct the current block based on the selected MV resolution.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the plurality of MV resolutions includes ¼ luma samples, ½ luma samples, 1 luma sample, and 4 luma samples.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first MV resolution is not applied to the current block; and the processing circuitry is configured to: decode an index in the coded video bitstream; select a second MV resolution from the remaining MV resolutions in the reordered plurality of MV resolutions based on the index, the remaining MV resolutions excluding the first MV resolution; and reconstruct the current block based on the second MV resolution.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the set of MV resolutions includes a third MV resolution that is not in the plurality of MV resolutions; the prediction information indicates that the third MV resolution is not applied to the current block; and the processing circuitry is configured to: decode an index in the coded video bitstream; select a fourth MV resolution from the reordered plurality of MV resolutions based on the index; and reconstruct the current block based on the fourth MV resolution.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the set of MV resolutions consists of ¼ luma samples, ½ luma samples, 1 luma sample, and 4 luma samples; the third MV resolution is ¼ luma samples; and the plurality of MV resolutions consists of ½ luma samples, 1 luma sample, and 4 luma samples.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the prediction information indicates that the current block is coded with bi-prediction; and the processing circuitry is configured to: for each of the plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions, determine a TM cost based on a first TM cost and a second TM cost, the first TM cost being determined based on a first reference template of a first reference block in a first reference picture and based on a current template of the current block in the current picture, the second TM cost being determined based on a second reference template of a second reference block in a second reference picture and based on the current template of the current block in the current picture.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein for each of the plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions, the TM cost is a weighted sum of the first TM cost and the second first TM cost.
 20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program executable by at least one processor to perform: decoding prediction information of a current block in a current picture from a coded video bitstream, the prediction information indicating (i) an adaptive motion vector prediction (AMVP) mode with an adaptive motion vector resolution (AMVR) mode being applied to the current block and (ii) motion information, a set of motion vector (MV) resolutions in the AMVR mode being available for the current block; performing template matching (TM) on a plurality of MV resolutions in the set of MV resolutions by determining respective TM costs corresponding to each of the plurality of MV resolutions based on the plurality of MV resolutions and the motion information; reordering the plurality of MV resolutions based on the determined TM costs respectively corresponding to each of the plurality of MV resolutions; and selecting an MV resolution from the reordered plurality of MV resolutions; and reconstructing the current block based on the selected MV resolution. 